Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees for 40 years: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in an exclusive interview with a German magazine on September 5, 2025, discussed a wide range of issues including Afghan refugees, regional security, terrorism, and Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and India.

The DG ISPR highlighted that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for over 40 years.

He said that Pakistan has taken systematic steps for their dignified repatriation and, on humanitarian grounds, extended the repatriation deadlines several times. However, he stressed that credible evidence exists of illegal Afghan nationals being involved in terrorism and serious crimes.

He explained that the original reasons for Afghan asylum were foreign interventions and civil war, which no longer exist.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry criticized India’s escalating extremist policies, linking them to growing violent incidents inside the country. He accused India of projecting its internal issues as external problems and vice versa.

He further stated that Indian state-backed elements have been involved in terrorist activities inside Pakistan, with credible evidence showing serving Indian army officers’ involvement. Pakistan has repeatedly presented proof of Indian-sponsored terrorism to the international community, he noted.

On Kashmir, the DG ISPR urged the global community to play its role in resolving the long-standing dispute, adding that Indian state institutions, including its army, are increasingly influenced by extremist political ideologies.

The DG ISPR categorically stated that Pakistan rejects all non-state actors without discrimination, declaring that no militant group or organization has space in Pakistan. “Only the state has the authority to declare jihad,” he said.

He recalled Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the war against terrorism, underscoring the immense sacrifices made by the country.

Lieutenant General Chaudhry expressed concern over U.S. weapons left behind after its withdrawal from Afghanistan, which are now being used in terrorist activities. He noted that even the United States has voiced concern over this development.

During the interview, the DG ISPR said Pakistan maintains constructive and strategic relations with its brotherly country China. He also acknowledged that during heightened Pak-India tensions, including the “Operation Bunyan Marsoos” period, then U.S. President Donald Trump played a notable leadership role.

He further mentioned that the U.S. recently designated the banned Majeed Brigade as a global terrorist organization.

In Balochistan, he said, many killed militants of the “Fitna-e-Hindustan” group were falsely listed among so-called missing persons.