Rawalpindi, Pakistan — Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif announced on Monday that a “massive, illegal political mafia” is attempting to sabotage the state’s Azm-i-Istehkam operation to serve its vested interests.
Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, DG Sharif clarified the army’s stance on recent issues, citing an increase in “organised propaganda, false, wrong news, and concocted news” against the armed forces. He stressed the importance of addressing these matters publicly.
Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Providing updates on counter-terrorism operations for the year, DG Sharif revealed that 22,409 intelligence-based operations had been conducted against terrorists and their facilitators. The military and law enforcement agencies are currently conducting over 122 operations daily against terrorism.
Regarding the potential displacement from the new Azm-i-Istehkam operation, DG Sharif emphasized that it is a “comprehensive counter-terrorism campaign” with national consensus and not solely a military operation as some narratives suggest. The operation aims to reinforce the already established National Action Plan.
National Action Plan
The DG ISPR pointed out that while kinetic operations are progressing effectively, issues remain with other aspects of the National Action Plan. Established in 2014 and revised in 2021, the plan includes measures such as the establishment of Counter-Terrorism Departments at the provincial level and the regularization of religious seminaries. However, only a bit over 16,000 seminaries have been registered, leaving the status of 50% unknown.
DG Sharif highlighted the need to eliminate the “illegal spectrum” that fuels a major illegal economy, supporting criminal systems and terrorism. He argued that a vested interest profiting from this illegal economy is working to undermine the objectives of the National Action Plan.
Operation Azm-i-Istehkam
The DG ISPR criticized the narrative that Operation Azm-i-Istehkam is intended to displace people, clarifying that its purpose is to reinvigorate the National Action Plan with effective legislation and augmented law enforcement efforts. He stressed the necessity of the operation, asserting that it will not only curb terrorism but also lead to societal and national uplift.
Incident in Bannu
Responding to queries about violence during a peace rally in Bannu, DG Sharif recounted a recent terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment that resulted in the martyrdom of eight military personnel. He explained that the subsequent peace rally, initially agreed upon to avoid anti-state slogans, was hijacked by negative elements who chanted against the army and state, leading to violence. The army responded according to standard operating procedures.
Addressing Political and Legal Issues
DG Sharif expressed frustration over the politicization of critical issues, arguing that the legal and judicial system’s leniency towards perpetrators of the May 9 incident has emboldened mob mentality and fascism. He emphasized that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of provincial governments, not the military.
Stance on Palestine
On the recent Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan sit-in over Palestine, DG Sharif reiterated the state’s and army’s clear stance: the genocide in Palestine is unacceptable.
