ISLAMABAD, Dec 04 : Pakistan's military backs the country's civilianleadership, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman said onSaturday, after leaked US diplomatic cables highlighted the army's power inthe country.
The army has a demonstrated policy of supporting the political processwithin the confines of the constitution of Pakistan," said militaryspokesman Major General Athar Abbas, in what he referred to as a response toqueries about the cables.
Talking to the media in Islamabad, DG ISPR said the Wikileaks revelationsabout the Army Chief are baseless.
A March 12, 2009 cable by former American ambassador to Pakistan AnnePatterson released by WikiLeaks shows the army's influence in the country.
Patterson had been meeting army chief General Ashfaq Kayani during apolitical crisis in which a long march planned by lawyers could havethreatened President Asif Ali Zardari's government.
According to the dispatch, Kayani hinted again that he might have topersuade Zardari to resign "if the situation sharply deteriorates".
Kayani, a former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, hassaid he would keep the army out of politics and would support democracy.
"Kayani made it clear that regardless of how much he disliked Zardari, hedistrusted Nawaz even more. The scenario Kayani hinted at was one in whichhe would pressure Zardari to resign (and presumably leave the country),"Patterson said in the cable.Abbas said Kayani "holds all national leaders in esteem", including Sharif.
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