accusation social media for “misunderstandings” that arose between the previous commander of the army and former prime minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi, said he has made efforts to resolve these differences and will continue to do so.
In an interview with BBC in Urdu, published on On Thursday, the president said he attaches undue importance to what is being said on social media platforms were one of in main causes behind misunderstandings between retired General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Mr Khan.
In his view even now those in power could not “handle” the medium properly, adding that “YouTube was shut down in Pakistan for two years because decisionmakers couldn’t handle it.”
Recognizing that social media has its own meaning, he said that when it is given “excessive importance in polarization is causes problems.
“That’s what I told everyone: worry about your own problems no [what is on] in social media or who offended who. It doesn’t matter,” he said, adding that it would be very sad if history of Pakistan noted that social media that pushed the country to ruin.
Expressing serious concern about the situation in the country’s economy, he said that if all stakeholders, including political parties, do not ignore differences and start discussion, the economic situation may worsen.
In an interview, he said it was important to lower the political temperature in country and for this purpose “offered dialogue among all stakeholders.”
He also claimed that current coalition government “avoids” in negotiation with PTI, stating that there was no contact between the two parties over in past a month and not government responding to inquiries for negotiation.
President Alvi also advised military establishment and political parties of the country that “cooperation is better than disagreement”.
“It is important for Pakistan. This is the advice that I give everyone in public and in private”.
When the interviewer asked the president if there were any differences between Imran and the ex-commander-in-chief developed over appointment of the country’s top spy, the president said he would not talk about a specific person or incident.
However, without naming anyone, the President stated that “all parties are showing inflexibility” and his advice is not being sought.
He also said he advised the adamant to leave the past in the past, adding that “it would have been better” if his advice had been heeded.
“If you look at the polls of that time, the whole country said that the negotiations should take place. I still don’t understand who was more compelled. When I say let the past stay in the past people unable to do so.”
A BBC report in Urdu noted that President Alvi did not indicate whether he was talking about PTI or former commander in chief of the army, but said that “everyone took revenge in political arena.”
The President was also asked if there truth to reports alleging that PTI tried to persuade retired General Bajwa to extend his tenure during meetings he facilitated.
The President replied that he did not know of proposals that were made.
“But I said misunderstandings should decide by sitting together. Whether it’s political party opposition or the establishment, I’m ready play in role of intermediary”.
Published in Dawn, January 13, 2023
This Article Alvi blames social media for Imran-Bajwa ‘bad blood’ – Newspaper was first Published on World Weekly News