Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif on Friday has said that a “hard state” is one where all matters are handled in accordance with the Constitution and the law, stressing that the term does not mean the military is running the country.
Addressing a media briefing, he said Pakistan’s Constitution and laws apply equally to everyone, adding that all citizens have a responsibility to remain loyal to the state. “The state comes before politics, and Pakistan is our first and final identity,” he said.
The DG ISPR also said deliberate attempts are being made to create the impression that the situation in Balochistan is deteriorating. He maintained that there is no room for negotiations with terrorists, who must either surrender under the law or face action by the state.
He said that more than 40,000 Intelligence-Based Operations (IBO’s) have been conducted in Balochistan.
DG ISPR said 303 brave personnel of Pakistan Army have embraced martyrdom in the line of duty, paying tribute to their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
DG ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan has no room for negotiations with terrorists, saying terrorists must either surrender under the law or face decisive action by security forces.
Pakistan is our identity
“Our first, last and foremost identity is being Pakistani,” the DG ISPR said, stressing that national unity remains the country’s greatest strength.
He rejected any possibility of dialogue with terrorist groups, stating that terrorists have only two choices: surrender in accordance with the law or be eliminated.
“There is no room for talks with terrorists,” he said. “They will have to lay down their arms, otherwise we will eliminate them.”
The DG ISPR also said that Afghan nationals were involved in the recent terrorist incidents in Tank and Karachi, adding that investigations had uncovered cross-border links in the attacks.
He said Pakistan is not a hard state, but every citizen has a fundamental duty to remain loyal to the state and uphold the rule of law.
He further dismissed attempts to portray Balochistan as being in a state of chaos, saying a deliberate campaign was being carried out to create a false impression that the province’s security situation is out of control.
He accused members of the elite class and tribal chiefs of opposing Balochistan’s development because they do not want children from poor families to progress. He said the state would engage directly with the people of Balochistan rather than the elite and tribal leadership.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said security forces are actively pursuing terrorists, prompting Fitna al-Khawarij, Fitna al-Hindustan and their handlers in India to target civilians and other soft targets.
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He said terrorist groups are exploiting girls in Balochistan by mentally trapping them and using them to carry out acts of terrorism. “This has nothing to do with our religion or culture,” he said.
He added that different figures are often given regarding missing persons, sometimes 10,000 and sometimes 20,000. A commission was established to investigate missing persons cases, and applications were submitted to it.
The DG ISPR said families in Balochistan sometimes report that a brother or son has gone missing and claim that he has no links with any group. However, investigations later reveal that some of them have joined the Balochistan Liberation Army.
He said some individuals included in missing persons lists are later killed in clashes, while others are found to have died while carrying out terrorist attacks in Gwadar, Quetta and Mastung. He added that the Balochistan Police is fully capable of taking action against such criminals.
Fake Indian websites spreading propaganda
He said more than 300 fake Indian websites are spreading propaganda against Balochistan. These websites are using different platforms to promote hatred and division.
“There may be Indian cyber networks behind them, but our young men and women are no less capable,” he said. He added that the state wants to empower the people of Balochistan and is already doing so. Every year, around 10,800 students in Balochistan receive education and training in information technology.
The DG ISPR said 2.6 million Afghan refugees have been repatriated. Those wishing to enter Pakistan must obtain visas, apply through the government, enter the official record and return through legal channels.
He said authorities have so far seized smuggled goods worth nearly Rs25 billion. “In a hard state, smugglers belong only in prison,” he said.
He added that around 4,500 people involved in human smuggling had also been arrested.
Country’s problems cannot be resolved without good governance
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that the country’s problems cannot be resolved without good governance.
Speaking at a press briefing Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s statement was his personal opinion. However, he stressed that national issues cannot be resolved without good governance.
He said the National Action Plan contains 14 points agreed upon by all political parties, adding that good governance is extremely important for Pakistan’s security.
The DG ISPR said that if problems remain unresolved, it means more steps must be taken to improve governance. He added that good governance is the right of the people of Pakistan and that they need it.
He further said that Pakistan’s youth are educated and aware.
