Political backing of illegal spectrum needs to be broken: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif on Friday emphasised the need to break the “political backing of the illegal spectrum in the country”.

He was addressing a press conference — his 5th and last media talk in 2024.

Briefing the media about the anti-terrorist activities being carried out by the security forces, the military’s spokesperson said that operations are carried out against terrorists on a daily basis.

He added that 59,775 separate operations have been carried out against terrorists this year, during which 925 foreign terrorists have been killed and many arrested.

During these operations, he further said, 73 most wanted terrorists were killed and a large cache of ammunition was recovered from them. 10 suicide jackets, 250 kilogram of explosives, and weapons were also recovered from the possession of the suicide bombers, he added.

“This is the highest number of terrorists killed in the last five years,” he said.

The DG ISPR stated that Pakistan has fought a long war against terrorism and is still fighting this menace. Such wars are fought by a nation as a whole, he said, adding, Armed forces and law enforcement agencies are fighting this war, and they need support from the entire nation.

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Afghanistan and India

“The slain included the ringleader of Fitna-ul-Khwarij Mian Syed alias Qureshi Ustad, Mohsin Qadir, Attaullah alias Mehran,” Lt. Gen. Sharif said, adding that the suicide bombers arrested from Balochistan made important revelations. “The terrorists are involved in brainwashing [people] to launch an armed rebellion against the state,” DG ISPR said. 27 Afghan terrorists were also killed in an encounter with security forces, DG ISPR added.

He said that the threads of these terrorist networks go back to their safe havens in Afghanistan. Speaking on the relations with the neighboring country, he said, “Pakistan’s role has been the most important for peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for a long time.”

He also spoke on the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, saying, “Unarmed Kashmiri youth are being martyred in illegal operations, all this is in front of the world.” He added, “India is blatantly violating UN laws.”

“We stand with the oppressed Kashmiri people,” DG ISPR said, adding, “We will continue to provide political, legal, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people.”

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Speaking on India, DG ISPR said, “We are well aware of India’s nefarious intentions in the region”. He said that India is involved in state-sponsored terrorism activities.

He added that the Pakistan Army is prepared and ready for any situation. “A series of war exercises are ongoing in the Pakistan Army regarding war preparations. Fifty units will be trained by the year 2025,” DG ISPR Sharif said.

Military courts, May 9, and misguided politics

Speaking on the situation within Pakistan and the trial of May 9 accused he said, “The case of May 9 is not of the Pakistan military. It is the case of the Pakistani nation.” He said that those under trial of military courts have all the rights available to the accused under law. “All legal requirements were fulfilled while sentencing the accused of May 9 events,” he added.

He also spoke on the resurgence of terrorism across country, and without mentioning anyone by name, he alluded at the government in 2021 that followed the “so called policy” of negotiations. “Terrorists whose backs were broken were re-invigorated through talks,” DG ISPR said.

“A person who is incapable of understanding his own mistakes…the nation pays the price for such behavior with its blood,” Lt. Gen. Sharif said, adding, “We are suffering the consequences of this so-called policy of talks and settlements”. He said that it was the stubbornness of such a person back in 2021 to engage the terrorist groups in talks. “Pakistan and especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are paying the price for that stubbornness”.

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He also said that the issue is of counter-terrorism, “do not create politics, confusion and narratives on it.” He added, “Lack of good governance is creating a sense of deprivation and facilitating terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is high time we say no more politics on terrorism.”

“May 9 was a highly coordinated conspiracy,” DG ISPR said, adding, “The process of dispensation of justice will continue until all those responsible for the May 9 crimes are punished.” He added that the November 26 conspiracy also reflects calculated intent of a political party to promote political terrorism. “Efforts to provoke political unrest have failed due to public awareness,” DG ISPR added.

Faiz Hameed

Answering a question related to the trial and indictment of former director general of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, DG ISPR said, “For every military officer, the state of Pakistan comes first. If any officer puts politics before the state, he will have to answer for it.”