RAWALPINDI: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the job of law enforcement agencies, including the army, is to fight terrorists, while the nation fights terrorism.
During the presser on Friday at the General Headquarters (GHQ), the military’s spokesperson highlighted the armed forces’ counterterrorism efforts during the year 2024, reporting a significant number of successful operations.
Chauhdry noted the important matters of 2024 related to national security, regional situation, interior security, and counterterrorism efforts this year.
The press conference came a day after a military court sentenced 60 civilians to rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to ten years for their involvement in the May 9 violent protests.
During the press conference, DG ISPR added that the repatriation of illegal Afghan citizens from Pakistan was underway. “From September 2023 till now, 815,000 illegal Afghan citizens have returned to Afghanistan.”
Responding to a question, the ISPR DG said Pakistan “fully respected” Afghanistan’s sovereignty and termed it a brother Islamic nation. “But we want that they do not give kharijis and terrorists precedence over Pakistan,” he added.
Talking about border management, he said that the Western Border Management Regime was near completion, adding that 98 percent of the Pakistan-Afghan border has been fenced.
“Armed forces had cleared 72 per cent of the area in the tribal districts from minefields.”
He said that upon the instructions of the government, the Pakistan Army was currently playing its role in a crackdown against smuggling, drugs, electricity theft, and hoarders.
He further told reporters that 246.6 metric tons of narcotics have been recovered along with the recovery of Rs 77.226 billion in electricity theft and the arrest of 61165.
“After the imposition of the One Document Regime, illegal border crossings have significantly declined.
Counter-terrorism efforts
Addressing his fifth media briefing of 2024, DG ISPR revealed that security forces conducted a total of 59,775 operations this year, resulting in the death of 925 khawarij [terrorists] which was the largest number in the last five years.
The ISPR chief stated that ‘more than 179 operations’ were being conducted daily by the Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies, including police and intelligence agencies.
“The armed forces have successfully foiled numerous terrorist plots and also successfully eliminated 73 high-value targets and most-wanted terrorists,” he said.
Furthermore, he told journalists that a significant quantity of weapons was recovered from terrorist hideouts during various intelligence-based operations, demonstrating the scale of the threat and the success of counter-terrorism efforts
He further noted that 27 Afghan terrorists were also killed during the ongoing year.
Lt Gen said that two suicide bombers have been apprehended, while 14 wanted terrorists have surrendered to the authorities. “383 officers and soldiers have embraced martyrdom in the ongoing fight against terrorism.”
Speaking about the counter-terrorism efforts in Balochistan, the military official detailed that some high-value targets were eliminated in the region.
“Baloch terrorists’ most-wanted leaders Sana urf Baro, Bashir urf Pir Jan, Niaz urf Gumman, Zareef Shah Jehan, Hazrat Ali urf Asad, Lak Jan Chakirabadi urf Sawara were also sent to hell.”
Furthermore, he highlighted that two suicide bombers-to-be — Insafullah urf Talha and Roohullah hailing from Afghanistan — were apprehended by security forces. “10 suicide bombing jackets and more than 250kg of explosives and weapons were recovered from the two.”
Highlighting regional challenges, the ISPR DG said that Pakistan has consistently worked towards establishing peace in Afghanistan. However, despite these efforts, terrorist activities originating from Afghan soil continue to pose a threat to Pakistan, he added.
While responding to the question, DG ISPR said that the job of law enforcement agencies, including the army, is to fight terrorists, while the nation fights terrorism.
While kinetic actions were the responsibility of the army and the security forces, he emphasised that terrorism would be eliminated when justice was established in those areas.
“Until the nexus of terrorism and crime is broken, terrorism will continue” he added.
Lt. Gen. Sharif reiterated that there is a “spectrum of illegal activities” worth billions of rupees in Pakistan including smuggling, extortion, non-custom-paid vehicles, and kidnapping. “Fake news and propaganda are also part of this illegal spectrum.”
“The illegal spectrum has to be broken through laws, action, and punishments.”
“If the elite of Pakistan come together to decide to break the illegal spectrum, make the laws, strictly act on them, and also hand out punishments, then not only would you see the terrorism and lawlessness operating under this illegal spectrum ending but also see Pakistan on the path to prosperity,” he added.
Military court convictions
While responding to a question, the military’s spokesperson made it clear that the events of May 9, 2023, were not just the army’s issue but one that concerned the entire nation.
“The case of May 9 is not the case of the Pakistan Army, it is the case of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
He clarified that military courts have been a part of Pakistan’s judicial system for decades, in line with the constitution and law.
“Military courts have been established for decades, in accordance with the constitution and law,” he said. He also pointed out that these courts had received validation from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“In July 2024 in the United Kingdom, the perpetrators of the racial riots that occurred as a result of false social media posts were given severe punishments. After the Capitol Hill attack in the US, hundreds of protesters were given severe punishments through speedy justice,” DG ISPR added.
“The accused can appeal the sentence in the Court of Appeal, the Army Chief, the High Court, and the Supreme Court,” he explained. He made it clear that anyone involved in similar incidents in the future would face similar consequences.
Furthermore, the military’s spokesperson underscored that no political leader’s desire for power should take precedence over the nation’s well-being.
“We respect all political parties and their leadership,” an ISPR spokesperson said in response to a question about the rumored backdoor discussions between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the military.
“However, no individual, his politics, or his desire for power is above Pakistan,” he added firmly, emphasising the military’s commitment to the country’s interests over political maneuvering
Talking about the court martial of Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed, DG ISPR said, “If someone in the army works for personal gain or promotes a specific agenda, he can not escape from the army’s self-accountability system.”
