Pakistan army backs off after questioning PM's authority
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Monday, April 17, 2017 file photo Pakistan's army spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor addresses a news conference in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Pakistan's military backed off on Wednesday, May 10 after publicly questioning the prime minister's decision to sack an adviser over an explosive newspaper article alleging a rift between the country's civilian government and the military. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed,file) (The Associated Press)
Pakistan's military has backed off after questioning the prime minister's decision to sack an adviser over an explosive newspaper article alleging a rift between the civilian government and the military.
Civil-military relations are a sensitive topic in Pakistan, which has a history of military coups.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif fired a senior adviser two weeks ago over a front-page article in the Dawn newspaper last year alleging a rift between civilian and military leaders over combatting militancy.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A military spokesman questioned the firing in a tweet, saying it was not in line with the findings of an inquiry set up to look into possible leaks.
On Wednesday, the military released a statement saying the tweet had been withdrawn and that the issue had been settled.