Pakistan army chief denies coup plan

Pakistan’s army chief on Friday said that the military strongly dispelled speculation that it planned a coup, as tensions escalated after the country’s prime minister warned a conspiracy was under way to oust the civilian government.General Ashfaq Kayani, Pakistan’s army chief, was quoted on Friday in a military statement saying the “army has and will continue to support democratic process in the country.”

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Meanwhile, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan’s prime minister, on Thursday evening told youth party members in Islamabad that the nuclear-armed nation risked the return of military rule.

“I want to tell you clearly that conspiracies are under way to remove this elected government,” said Mr Gilani. “Now people have to decide whether you want elected people or dictatorship.”

“There cannot be a state within a state ... every institution of this country, including Ministry of Defence, is under the prime minister of Pakistan,” the premier added.

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, Supreme Court Chief, played down the risk of a military coup. “There is no question of a takeover. Gone are the days when people used to get validation for unconstitutional steps from the courts.”