Pakistani Army vows to protect democracy

ISLAMABAD: The much-vaunted Pakistan Army declared on Sunday that it was committed to protecting democracy in the wake of anti-government protests.
According to media reports, corps commanders of the army met under Gen. Raheel Sharif to take stock of the internal security situation in the aftermath of the deadly street battles on Saturday night that left three dead. The army’s top brass insisted that use of force against the protesters would aggravate the situation.
The corps commanders said force should not be used against the protesters. “We will play our role to protect national security,” they were quoted as saying by the Pakistani media.
Opposition leader Imran Khan ordered his supporters on Sunday to take to the streets and stand up against security forces.
The eruption of violence has unnerved many in the coup-prone country, with Sharif looking increasingly cornered amid relentless calls by the opposition for him to step down.
Khan told his supporters in central Islamabad he would not back down from his demand for Sharif to resign and called on more protesters to join him. “I am prepared to die here. I have learned that government plans a major crackdown against us tonight,” he said. “I am here till my last breath.”
Javed Hashmi, a senior member of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice) party broke ranks Sunday, saying the protest had gone too far.
“How can I side with you when you march on Parliament? There is hardly any distance left between us and martial law,” he said, addressing a press conference.
The protest leaders have drawn thousands to the streets of Islamabad, but their call has not mobilized mass support in a country of 180 million people.
But many of the protesters are now openly calling for the military — which has ruled Pakistan for half its existence — to return to power.
“Last night, the police used tear gas and rubber bullet against us. Now we are waiting for the help of the army. We are hopeful. God willing, the army will save us, they will do something for us,” said a female protester in her 20s called Ammara.