The matter of Dawn leaks appears to have settled between the civilian and military leadership following a series of meetings between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.Finally putting all speculations to rest, Pakistan Army while reiterating its support for the democratic process clarified that the tweet Director-General ISPR regarding Dawn Leaks was not aimed at any government office or person. The ISPR said recommendations of the Inquiry Committee, duly approved by the Prime Minister, have been implemented and this settles the Dawn Leaks issue.According to reports, The ISPR said Twitter post stands withdrawn and has become in-fructuous. The statement said Pakistan Army reiterates its firm commitment and continued resolve to uphold the Constitution of Pakistan and support the democratic process. The interior ministry notification reiterated the earlier orders of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif regarding the Dawn Leaks Inquiry Committee recommendations, with an addition that the federal government’s action against former Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed had been endorsed by the Inquiry Committee in its recommendations. It said there is need to develop a Code of Conduct for the Print Media especially when dealing with issues relating to security of Pakistan. The Inquiry Committee recommended that the role of Daily Dawn, Zafar Abbas and Cyrill Almeida in the case may be referred to All Pakistan Newspapers Society with a direction to take disciplinary action against them.The Committee unanimously agreed that the then Principal Information Officer Rao Tehsin Ali had not displayed the required level of professionalism and has shown carelessness while dealing with the issue. The Committee recommended that he may be proceeded against under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules.The Committee also recommended removal of Mr. Tariq Fatemi from his portfolio of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs.Maj Gen Ghafoor added that the army appreciated the government’s efforts to remove misunderstandings about the Dawn Leaks Inquiry Committee report by issuing a notification that contained complete facts and recommendations. The ISPR statement and Maj Gen Ghafoor’s subsequent news conference came after the interior ministry issued a fresh notification to punish those said to be involved in the Dawn Leaks scandal.Finally sanity prevails and the issue of Dawn Leaks has been resolved amicably. It is good news for the nation and for the democracy of the country. Pakistan is passing through very important time, facing severe external and internal threats and important developments are also taking place in the region. In the present scenario the country could not afford and differences between the government and the institutions. By withdrawing tweet, Pakistan Army once again showed its support to nascent democratic process in the country. The role of the Interior Minister in resolving the issue is also laudable. The country needs full unity among the government and all institutions to cope the external and internal challenges. The spirit should continue and all stakeholders should always give preference to the national interest.
