Newsdesk

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that political parties and security forces share a unified narrative in the war against terrorism, stressing that no one can divert Pakistan from its counterterrorism stance.

Addressing a press conference at GHQ, the DG ISPR said that the Paigham-e-Pakistan narrative was reaffirmed this year, providing clarity not only to religious scholars and clerics but also regarding the nexus between India and Fitna al-Khawarij. He reiterated that the national resolve against terrorism remains firm and unwavering.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif stated that the links between Afghan Taliban elements, Khawarij militants, and India became more visible in 2025, adding that further covert patterns had also emerged. He referred to statements made on Indian television suggesting a joint Afghanistan-India attack on Pakistan, calling such claims reckless and provocative.

He said that a conducive political environment for terrorism is being created in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, questioning the absence of the so-called Taliban leadership during terrorist encounters and criticizing their alleged ideological alignment with India. He asserted that Afghanistan currently lacks a legitimate government and is instead controlled by a small group.

The DG ISPR noted that Pakistan had long warned the world that Afghanistan had become a hub of terrorism, a view now echoed internationally.

He said countries including Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan have also reported terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil. Citing a United Nations report, he stated that 20 international terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan.

He emphasized that while the entire nation and security forces continue to make sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, opposition to counterterrorism operations by a provincial government raises serious concerns. He warned against allowing a repeat of the terror conditions previously witnessed in Swat.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said that the narrative of certain political elements had now become clear, accusing them of recycling old political rhetoric and seeking appeasement of Fitna al-Khawarij.

Commenting on statements by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, the DG ISPR questioned calls for Afghanistan to provide security guarantees to Pakistan, terming them unrealistic and irresponsible.

 He said rejecting military operations while suggesting engagement with militants was dangerous, asking rhetorically whether militant leaders should be handed administrative control of the province.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s counterterrorism policy is non-negotiable and that the state will continue to confront terrorism with unity and resolve.