Story highlights

• The political anarchist group should apologise. In politics, narratives are made on lies
• Dialogue suits political parties, not the army
• If there is proof of the army’s interference in the election, it should be presented before the ECP
• Only 31% of the general population voted for a “particular party”. The vote does not mean it was in favour of May 9

Afghan soil is being used against Pakistan, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Ahmed Sharif at a press conference.

“A sad incident took place on March 2 in Bisham where a suicide bomber targeted a car of Chinese engineers working on Dasu dam, as a result of which, five Chinese citizens and a Pakistan got killed. This suicide bombing also connects to across the border [in Afghanistan]; the planning of this terrorism [act] was done in Afghanistan. Terrorists and their facilitators were also being controlled from Afghanistan and the suicide bomber was also an Afghan [national],” he said.

In March, a suicide attack on a convoy in Bisham tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla killed five Chinese nationals and a Pakistani citizen.

The Chinese embassy asked Pakistan to “severely” punish the perpetrators of the attack and take effective measures to ensure the safety of its citizens working in the country, institutions, and projects.

“TTP terrorists are continuously committing acts of terrorism in Pakistan,” he said.

“In the war on terrorism, our soldiers and workers and law enforcement agencies have been martyred in huge numbers,” he said, “everyone knows that Pakistan tried its best for peace in region and especially in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s role has been the most vital for peace in the region.”

He added that Pakistan has worked hard towards peace in Afghanistan.

“The world has been aware of Pakistan’s full support for and towards Afghanistan for many years,” the military’s spokesperson said and added that the country has highlighted this issue on the international platform.

He reiterated that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban was using the Afghanistan soil against Pakistan. He added that Pakistan had helped Afghanistan and reminded that one of the pledges made by the interim government in Kabul was to not let Afghan soil be used for any terror acts.

Maj-Gen Sharif added that there was “concrete evidence” that outlawed TTP terrorists were still using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan. In this regard, he said the FO has registered 12 protests and the army chief has taken a clear stance that Pakistan has its reservations on the hideouts of banned outfits in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to eradicate terror networks and provide protection to its citizens at all costs,” he said.

While speaking about the eviction of illegal Afghan immigrants, he said that around 563,639 people have been sent back to Afghanistan and many people were still living in Pakistan.

The decision was taken by the government in the country’s larger interest, according to the DG ISPR. He also mentioned the weak economic situation and law and order situation.

In recent years, Balochistan and KP have been facing turbulent situations. In January 2024, the banned BLA attacked Mach FC, in which four security forces including two policemen were martyred. At least 24 terrorists were killed

On March 16, Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali, Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar, and five soldiers were martyred in a North Waziristan terrorist attack on a check post. At least six terrorists were killed.

In response to the attack, he said that Pakistan attacked the safe havens of terrorists in Afghanistan’s border areas. At least eight terrorists were killed.

“The failed terrorist attacks prove that security forces are failing terrorist motives,” he said.

On March 20, armed forces foiled a terrorist attack on a Gwadar Port Authority colony and killed eight terrorists.

He reiterated that Pakistan Armed Forces condemned the Bisham attack and was taking all necessary steps to bring them court of law.

On March 25, an army man was martyred in Turbat attack. On April 16 and 17, seven terrorists were killed in Northern Waziristan’s area of Ghulam Khan. One of them was identified as Malkutdin Misbah, a resident of Paktika, Afghanistan.

On April 23, three terrorists were killed and another was arrested during an intelligence-based operation in the Balochistan area Pishin district. The wounded militant was identified as Habbibullah, a resident of Spin Boldak. He confessed to his crimes in the custody.

“The biggest reason for the fresh wave of terrorism in Pakistan is the support TTP getting from Afghanistan and the availability of latest weapons,” he said and quoted the army chief as saying that there was no place for terrorism in the country.

The DG ISPR mentioned that Pakistan killed several terrorists in the Sistan-Baluchistan area in Iran and hoped that efforts in a positive direction would prove to be effective for the region and uphold peace.

In 2024, security forces conducted around 13,135 operations and killed 296 terrorists and 396 were arrested. On a daily basis, more than 100 operations were being done by police, army, intelligence, and personnel of law enforcement agencies.

At least 19 high-value terrorists were killed and arrested during operations, he said and added that two officers and 60 soldiers were martyred.

“Pakistan is leading towards peace,” he said and that peace restored to areas where it was difficult for the people to go. He attributed the development to the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces and the people.

Under the Western Border Management Regime, more than 98% of work has been completed on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border while 91% of work has been completed on the Pakistan-Iran border.

Pakistan has established 753 forts along the Pakistan-Afghan border in order to prevent terrorists from entering the country while 89 forts have been established along the Pakistan-Iran border.

The armed forces are actively supporting government efforts to improve the country’s economy, he said and added that the army with the other institutions was playing its role under the SIFC. Crackdown on smuggling, electricity theft, and drug selling has contributed to “positive outcomes” for Pakistan.

In September, a crackdown was carried out in Rawalpindi to address various issues including smuggling, electricity theft, narcotics, and hoarding. The recovery includes 3,036.309 metric tons of fertiliser, 262.8 metric tons of wheat, 34,060.9 metric tons of sugar, and 232,420 cigarette stocks.

A total amount of Rs91.231 billion has been recovered. So far, 69,537 individuals have been arrested in connection with these activities. Additionally, 1,028,904.9 kilograms of goods have been seized, leading to the arrest of 1,352 individuals. The recovery efforts also include 27,514.8 metric tons of fertiliser, 2,428.03 metric tons of wheat, 10,180.2 metric tons of sugar, and 55,745.3 metric tons of other stocks.

“Pakistan was aware of India’s actions to distract the world from its internal situation”. In the current year, India has violated the ceasefire on multiple occasions, including 120 speculative fire incidents, APS (Aerial Posture Surveillance System) violations amounting to 115, and 59 technical air violations.

These ceasefire violations have resulted in the loss of lives. “We are ready to defend our sovereignty at all costs.” In December 2023, the Indian armed forces targeted the people of Poonch and Rajwadi, leading to the illegal arrest of Kashmiris and leaving three individuals in a dire situation.

He added that Kashmiris have been martyred in “illegal operations”. There have been allegations of changing electoral votes in India and plans to conduct elections on five different days for five parliament seats, he said and raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

The DG ISPR also expressed concerns over the Indian Supreme Court decision on the revocation of Article 370 that gave special status to occupied Kashmir under the Indian constitution.

“Apart from Kashmir, the Indian government is also involved in international killings including murdering Sikh nationals,” he said and added that Indian intelligence agencies also killed two Pakistani nationals.

According to the DG ISPR, there were enough pieces of evidence to support their claims. He also spoke about the Palestine situation. “Pakistan has become an effective voice in the world,” Maj-Gen Sharif said.

He added that Pakistan would continue to extend its support for Palestinian cause. “We will have to play our role in making Pakistan prosper and progressive. Pakistan has continued and will continue war against terrorism,” the DG ISPR said and added that all efforts were being used in this regard.

“Unity is our strength and hopefully we are together.”

Border management system

When asked about the reasons for the apparent failure of the border management system, he said the Pakistan and Afghanistan border spreads over 2,611km and described it as a “difficult terrain”.

The DG ISPR said that the armed forces fenced it at their own expense.

“The dividends [of Bisham attack] are being taken as it helps to control the movement also,” he said and added that the terrorists were engaged when they tried to cut the fence in the recent past.

“The border management can never be foolproof in any country,” he said and gave the example of the US-Mexico border. The border management was mutual to keep its sanctity, the DG ISPR said and added that Pakistan was making efforts and Afghanistan was not playing its role.

He mentioned the cross points, saying that for decades it was informal. But the government has enforced the document in the recent past, he said and added that it has to make a normal border with the one-document regime.

“There are multiple issues,” Maj-Gen Sharif said and praised the decision to fence to control smuggling.

In response to a question on the judicial commission on May 9, he said that if it has to form then it should be on the fact that how the country reached such a level.

“I think it is of no use, but if it has to be made then go back and find out how such an evil reached here,” he said.

Fazl allegations

In response to JUI-F allegations, he said that if anyone has such proof they should take it to the institutions concerned as the DG ISPR refused to respond to allegations.

Bahawalnagar issue

He said that the security officers and police officers amicably had resolved the issue in Bahawalnagar. The DG ISPR added that propaganda was made on this incident, saying that it was part of an ongoing pattern to have propaganda against the army.

Maj-Gen Sharif praised the role of police in counter-terrorism efforts and said that anti-state elements were creating divisions among state institutions.

“It was sorrowful. It was resolved in an amicable manner. The inquiry is under to ascertain to know facts and who is responsible,” he said.