Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif on Tuesday hold his maiden press conference after assuming charge in his office.
In his press conference Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reiterated the Pak Army’s stance that it does not have a leaning towards any political party or ideology as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) calls on the establishment for intervening in politics. He said all politicians and political parties are respectable for Pakistan’s Armed forces.
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While addressing the presser at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi DG ISPR said “The Pakistan Army is a national army. All political parties are respectable for us […] but we do not lean towards any political party or ideology”
The Pak Army’s spokespersons denied all the rumor’s that military is leaning towards anyone as political parties blame each other for having the establishment’s backing.
“If any army was used to further a specific political ideology anywhere in the world, it led to anarchy,” the ISPR DG said and called upon Pakistan’s political leadership to support the military’s professional thinking.
The ISPR DG added that the government and the military have constitutional and non-political ties — a stance that the army has long stood by. “This non-political relationship should not be given a political colour.”
In response to a question on providing security for elections the DG ISPR said, the Ministry of Defence had already given a briefing to the Supreme Court regarding the deployment of troops for elections, which was based on “ground realities”.
Security Situation in Country
Before the start of Press Conference Pak Army Spokesperson said, the purpose of today’s Press conference was to elaborate on the army’s professional activities, including analyzing its counterterrorism operations.
Maj General Ahmed Sharif said that, TTP militants had been trying to destroy peace across Pakistan, especially in eastern frontiers in KPK and Balochistan, adding that security forces, police and other law enforcement agencies remained engaged in thwarting their nefarious propaganda.
“The contacts between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch [insurgent] organisations and foreign intelligence agencies has been proven.”
Pakistan’s civil and military agencies took great steps against terrorists, he said.
While giving a briefing on breaking the menace of terrorism during the current year, he said 436 incidents had occurred, in which 293 people were martyred and 523 injured.
During this period, security forces conducted 8,279 intelligence-based operations (IBOs), in which 1,535 terrorists were killed. Around 70 IBOs were being conducted daily, he added.
“There is no no-go area in Pakistan,” he emphasised.
However, terrorists were still disturbing the country’s peace.
While talking about suicide attack in Peshawar mosque in January, which claimed the lives of more than 70 people, the ISPR DG said the blast was carried out by the banned militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar on the TTP’s orders.
“The attacker belonged to Afghanistan. The facilitators have been arrested. These terrorists were trained in different areas of Afghanistan.”
The masterminds of Karachi police chief’s office attack also been arrested, he said, adding that the terrorists had taken Rs3 million to carry out the attack.
The ISPR DG further said that 137 security officials have been martyred so far this year while 117 have been wounded.
“The war against terrorism that Pakistan has fought is unprecedented and will continue till the last terrorist is eliminated,” he asserted.
Major General Chaudhry said that 98% of the work on the 2,611-kilometre fence between Pakistan and Afghanistan, while 85% of the work on the fence on the border with Iran had been completed.
Talking about CPEC, Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said security of Chinese brothers is top priority and most Important and sensitive matter for the army.
“Chinese are satisfied with Pakistan’s Army security. Further, PM directs apex committee held security audit and concerned departments are further filing up the loopholes.”
“No individual or group will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” he stressed. “Attempts to sabotage CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) and other projects are being thwarted. All projects are being provided complete security.
“Different social welfare programs have been announced after slashing the army’s budget. The navy and airforce have also participated in relief activities.”
Indian Propaganda
Talkin about Modi Govt Propaganda, Major General Chaudhry said India’s propaganda still continues against Pakistan.
The ISPR DG said that India had committed several ceasefire violations along the LoC this year and Pakistan had also taken down six Indian spy quadcopters.
He noted that Pakistan had taken United Nations observers to the Line of Control (LoC) several times, while India had not done the same.
“India’s aggressive designs and baseless allegations cannot change history. India cannot change the historical status of Kashmir. If India plans any adventure, Pakistan Armed forces will give a strong response.”
DGISPR also recalled that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir visited the LoC on his first tour after becoming Army chief.
“Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism for two decades. Every Pakistani soldier is devoted to faith, piety and jihad in the cause of Allah.”
Referring to Operation Swift Retort in 2019 — in which Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two Indian aircraft inside Pakistani airspace and arrested an Indian pilot on the ground — the military spokesperson said that Pakistan could defend its territory.
Pakistan’s situation holds importance in India’s internal matters, he said, adding that the Indian government talks about Pakistan’s politics also to divert attention from its own problems.
India has been conducting false flag operations and propaganda against Pakistan, he iterated. “Some local elements advance India’s agenda knowingly or unknowingly,” he said without elaborating.