Thaindian News

Islamabad, Jan 14 (IANS) Pakistan’s former defence secretary Naeem Khalid Lodhi, whose sacking over a submission in the Supreme Court led to a stand-off between the political leadership and the military, has said that he was new to job and therefore ignorant of the rules.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday asserted his authority by dismissing Lodhi, a retired lieutenant general widely seen to be close to army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Gilani also accused Kayani and ISI chief Lt.Gen. Shuja Pasha of violating the constitution by submitting their replies to the Supreme Court without the government approval in the case over a memo sent to Washington that said President Asif Ali Zardari feared a military take-over following last year’s killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden near Islamabad.

Gen. Lodhi sent the letters of Kayani and Shuja Pasha to the Supreme Court without seeking approval of the defence minister, which was mandatory, and also without getting the comments vetted from the law ministry as required under rules, Associated Press of Pakistan quoted a spokesman as saying.

The spokesman said that Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar sought an explanation from Lodhi for not observing the legal provisions.

The retired general stated in his reply that he was new to the job and was, therefore, ignorant of the rules.

The spokesman said the law ministry gave the opinion that the action of Gen. Lodhi was in utter and gross violation of the mandatory rules.

The action had created misunderstandings among the institutions, the spokesman added.

On the recommendation of the law and defence ministry, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani terminated his contract in national interest.