Army not targeting civilians in name of counterterrorism: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif has said the Pakistan Army has no interest in taking innocent lives in the name of fighting terrorism.

He, however, said that anyone who shelters terrorists or stores explosives at home will have to face the consequences.

Speaking to students during a special session under ISPR’s internship programme, the DG ISPR held an in-depth discussion on Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, and responded to students’ questions in detail.

On the demand for a major operation against terrorism in Balochistan, he said: “It is often portrayed as if resentment is growing among the people and youth of Balochistan against Pakistan. In reality, the people of Balochistan clearly understand their relationship with the country and the province.”

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He paid tribute to Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar, calling him “an outstanding officer and a son of the soil,” who had previously killed several militants in the PC Hotel Gwadar attack. “Every day, army officers, soldiers and citizens are sacrificing their lives to keep Pakistan free,” he added.

Lt-Gen Sharif stressed that counterterrorism operations can only succeed when the public themselves identify militants.

“It is not about the army clearing an area through force. If the army leaves, terrorists will return. That is why these are called intelligence-based operations,” he said.

He reiterated that the army has no desire to target civilians, but those who provide shelter to terrorists or keep explosives in their homes will be held accountable.

“We must work jointly with the people and administration of Balochistan,” he noted.

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The DG ISPR said that terrorists, their facilitators, and planners must be exposed.

“The punishment of one individual’s terrorism cannot be imposed on an entire village or area. The people of Balochistan themselves have to, and are, standing up against militancy. They are identifying terrorists and their supporters.”

He said that the people of Balochistan were now fed up with terrorists. “If you visit Balochistan, you will see how wise and farsighted the people are. Hundreds of examples show that educated Baloch youth are now shaping their own destiny and contributing to their communities.”

He mentioned that renowned scientist Samad Yar Jung, a Cambridge University graduate, was an alumnus of Buleda school; Shahzaib Rind also hailed from Balochistan and has shaped his own future; and several Baloch women now serve as deputy commissioners in various districts.

“Pakistan was created on the basis of the Kalma, rising above ethnic and regional divides,” he said, recalling the saying of the Holy Prophet (PBUH): “No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a white over a black.”

He further noted that Balochistan’s population is 15 million, with around 50 per cent living in other parts of Pakistan.

“Not everyone in Balochistan is Baloch — over 30 per cent are Pashtuns. In fact, more Baloch live in Sindh and southern Punjab than in Balochistan itself,” he said.

“The essence of Pakistan— “La ilaha illallah” —is ingrained within us because the country was created on the basis of Kalma,” Lt-Gen Sharif concluded.