RAWALPINDI: DG ISPR Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhary has said that there are concrete evidences that banned TTP terrorists are using Afghanistan’s soil for terrorism. He said that Pakistan has serious concern over use of Afghan soil against Pakistan. The DG ISPR said that Islamabad has shared solid evidences with Kabul but no progress made by Afghanistan in this regard. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Ahmed Sharif expressed these remarks during a press conference in Rawalpindi.
He stated that everyone knows that Pakistan tried its best for regional peace, especially in Afghanistan. He added that Islamabad’s role has been the most vital for regional peace. DG ISPR said that despite all the efforts by Islamabad and despite pointing it out to the Afghan interim government on the state level, banned TTP terrorists are continuously committing acts of terrorism in Pakistan.
He said the plot that killed five Chinese engineers in a terrorist attack on a convoy in Bisham tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla on March 26 was hatched in Afghanistan. Pakistan supported the Afghan interim government at the international level, he told the media persons.
Terrorists Trying to Sabotage Peace in Pakistan
The military spokesperson said that terrorists are trying to sabotage peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He vowed that Pakistan would go to any extent to eliminate terrorists. He said that in January 2024, BLA terrorists carried out an attack on Mach FC camp, which the security forces thwarted with bravery and courage. In this terrorist attack, four soldiers, including two police personnel embraced martyrdom while 24 terrorists were sent to hell, the DG ISPR said. “On March 16, 2024, a South Waziristan check post was attacked, and as a result, seven soldiers, including Lt Colonel Kashif and Captain Ahmed, embraced martyrdom while 6 terrorists were sent to hell,” he said.
In response, the DG ISPR said, Pakistan had carried out counter-attacks in Afghanistan’s border areas and targeted the safe havens of terrorists, in which 8 terrorists were killed, who were involved in numerous terror attacks in Pakistan.
He said that there is no space for terrorism in Pakistan. He said that the security forces will leave no stone to eliminate terrorists from the country. He added that Pakistan has fought a long war against terrorism. He added that the country also hosted Afghan refugees for decades. He stated that more than 563,000 illegal Afghans returned to their country.
He said it is due to the sacrifices of the security forces and the people that the nation is fast heading towards peace. He added that more than 13,135 IBOs were conducted in 2024. He said that 239 terrorists were sent to hell, and 396 were apprehended during these operations. He said that two officers, 60 soldiers embraced shahadat during these operations. He said that the Indian Army is continuously targeting innocent civilians at LOC in Kashmir. He further said that India was involved in international crimes including the killing of Sikh leaders.
Pakistan to Continue Supporting Kashmiris’ Struggle for Independence
Referring to the situation on the eastern border, the military’s spokesperson said that Pakistan’s civil and military leadership is fully cognizant of the planning being made in India to divert attention from its internal anarchy. “The top military leadership is aware of Indian plans. Constituencies of India-held Kashmir were also altered, but Pakistan will continue to provide political, legal, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiris,” he declared.
The DG ISPR added Pakistan stands by their Kashmiri sisters and brothers and will continue to extend diplomatic, political, and moral support to them for their right to self-determination. He added that Pakistan has given a befitting response to Indian ceasefire violations. He added India is involved in extra-territorial killings of the Sikh community. He said there is also evidence of the involvement of New Delhi in the assassination of people in Pakistan.
He said, “In the war against terrorism, our troops, law enforcement agencies and workers have been martyred in huge numbers.”
No Talks with May 9 Rioters, Anarchists
The DG ISPR categorically stated that nobody would be allowed to disturb the law and order situation in Pakistan. He stated that the Army Chief has said that there is no place for terrorists in Pakistan. When asked about the May 9 incident, he said it is not the case of the Pakistan Army, but of the whole nation. He emphasized that those involved in the attacks on defence installations and the disgrace of martyrs’ memorials should be brought to justice at the earliest as per the law of the land and the constitution. He added that doing so is also significant to ensure that the people have faith in the justice system.
The DG ISPR maintained that people were given targets to carry out attacks, and in a few hours, military installations were attacked across the country. “After May 9, people stepped away from the anarchist group. Lies and deception can no longer go on,” he asserted.
The ISPR chief said innocent children were brainwashed and incited to violence, adding that the country’s army, martyrs, and property were set ablaze. He said it is suggested that a judicial commission should be formed, adding that these commissions are formed where there is ambiguity. “Form a judicial commission and get to the bottom of the incident,” he asserted.
The attack on PTV should also be covered, and it should be investigated how people were made to stand against the state, the ISPR chief said, recalling that Islamabad was attacked in 2022 and any judicial commission should also cover all these matters, including how letters were written to the IMF to not sign a deal with Pakistan. “The attack on Parliament should also be covered,” he proposed while adding that through May 9, an attempt was made to create hatred between the people and the army. However, he said, the people with a conscience distanced themselves from the actions of the “anarchists”.
If the culprits of the May 9 incidents were not punished, nobody’s life and property would be safe, the ISPR chief said. Furthermore, he said Article 19 was clear that national security cannot be attacked, adding that the Constitution of Pakistan did not allow propaganda against the state. “Are we waiting for another tragedy like May 9” he questioned, stressing that national integrity could not be allowed to be compromised. “No one can be allowed to hide behind the garb of freedom of expression,” he declared, hoping that the legislature would enact legislation related to freedom of expression.
“Action should be taken against agitation, lies, propaganda. If action is not taken, it will shake the foundations of society,” the ISPR DG stressed, adding that distrust among society is gradually decreasing and people are realizing who is telling lies.
He further remarked that there was no point in forming a judicial commission on the May 9 incidents. “If it has to be formed, it should bring out the truth.” “Punish the perpetrators of May 9 and move on,” he insisted.
Furthermore, he said false propaganda was done on the Bahawalnagar incident, adding that the Punjab government initiated a joint investigation on the incident. “The role of the police in the war against terrorism is important. The police rendered great sacrifices against terrorism,” the ISPR chief asserted, adding that the security agencies and police officers resolved the matter immediately.
No Interference in Feb 8 General Elections
About the February 8 general elections, the military’s spokesman said the turnout on the day was around 47% and 65 million people cast their votes. He further claimed that only 7.5% of the population cast votes for a specific political party, stressing that 92% of the people did not agree with the party’s ideology. “The Pakistan Army is the most trusted organization,” he stressed, adding that false narratives can be created and they will stand with the truth.
The DG ISPR said the institution did not hold any particular political thought, adding that it respected all parties representing the people. “There will be no talks with those who mock the martyrs. He further claimed that there was no interference from the army in the general elections, adding that a false narrative was created about the army’s interference and demanded proof of these allegations.
Accountability Within Pakistan Army
The ISPR chief also said that there was an integrated system for the welfare of soldiers, adding that the Pakistan Army has submitted Rs100 billion in taxes and its subordinate departments Rs260 billion. “The Fauji Foundation has deposited Rs223 billion in the national treasury, DHA has deposited Rs23 billion, and the NLC Rs3.5 billion,” he explained, remarking that those criticizing the army themselves prefer to reside in DHA.
He further explained that the army’s role in the SIFC is only that of facilitation. “Our job is to support the authorities, not to replace them,” ISPR DG claimed, adding that governments around the world use their military capabilities, and many governments have used the military for economic projects.
“Anti-army narratives are spread through false propaganda,” he insisted, adding that there is a transparent and strict process of self-accountability in the Pakistan Army that is initiated as soon as a violation takes place.
“Our accountability system works on facts, not allegations,” he maintained, adding that the matter of the high court judges was being heard in the Supreme Court. “There is no point in dragging the forces into political matters.”
He also remarked that while the Pakistan Army had completed its accountability process, those involved in carrying out and facilitating the May 9 incidents could not be held accountable.
