Rawalpindi: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Afghanistan has become a hub for terrorist organizations targeting Pakistan, stressing that the state is fully determined to eliminate terrorism through decisive action.
Addressing a press conference, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and other participants paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan who sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism. He said that the closure and regulation of the Afghan border had led to a significant reduction in terrorist activities inside Pakistan.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasized that terrorists have no religion, faith, nationality, or humanity, and are spreading chaos in the name of Islam. He described these elements as Fitna al-Khawarij, stressing that they have no connection with Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif noted that prior to 2023, terrorists were not openly referred to as Khawarij, but said the reality has now become evident. He alleged that banned terrorist organizations are being patronized by the Afghan Taliban, adding that groups including Al-Qaeda, Daesh (ISIS), TTP, and BLA are all operating from Afghan territory.
He further revealed that 2,500 foreign terrorists were recently relocated from Syria to Afghanistan, stating that they are not Afghan nationals but belong to various foreign ethnicities.
Afghanistan, weapons, and the global dimension
The DG ISPR said that during the withdrawal of US and allied forces, advanced military equipment worth approximately $7.3 million was left behind in Afghanistan, which has since entered the black market and is being used by terrorists. This equipment reportedly includes modern assault rifles, bulletproof vests, and night-vision devices.
He asserted that Afghanistan currently lacks an effective governing structure and has become a hub for regional terrorism.
India’s role and “Maarka-e-Haq”
Accusing India of direct involvement, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif claimed that India is providing financial support and patronage to terrorist elements. He stated that India was decisively exposed during Maarka-e-Haq, which, he said, was witnessed by the entire world.
He added that India has no right to target Pakistani civilians or infrastructure under any pretext.
Stance on politics and institutions
The DG ISPR reiterated that politics is the domain of political parties, and the armed forces must be kept out of political affairs. “Our responsibility is not political dialogue but the defense of Pakistan and its borders,” he said.
He clarified that the military holds no bias against any political party, treating all equally. Referring to past political leadership, he criticized claims of powerlessness by a former prime minister, stating that Pakistan has only one founding father — Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
War on Terror: Key Figures
Sharing data from the past year, the DG ISPR said 27 suicide attacks were recorded nationwide. He added that 3,811 terrorist incidents occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 1,557 incidents were reported in Balochistan.
During counterterrorism operations, 2,597 terrorists were killed, and more than 75,000 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were conducted across the country.
He stressed that the state remains fully committed to eradicating terrorism, calling it a war of the entire nation. “If we do not stand against them today, terrorists will strike our homes and markets tomorrow,” he warned.
Clear and firm message
Concluding the briefing, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif delivered a firm message, saying Pakistan is the only choice, and no political agenda or personal interest is above the state. He vowed that terrorists and their facilitators will be taken to their logical end, adding that the war against terrorism will be won by force if necessary.
He said the security outlook for 2026 will depend on how united the nation stands with the state today.
