PESHAWAR: Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), stated that terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is underpinned by a complex nexus of political and criminal support.
Addressing the media in Peshawar, he emphasized that the issue of terrorism has often been politicized, creating confusion among the nation, and that local as well as political backing continues to sustain terrorist networks in the region.
He praised the people of KP for their resilience and courage and underlined that the Pakistan Army is fully committed to eradicating terrorism entirely. He stressed the importance of collective efforts, stating that all stakeholders must unite to uproot this societal scourge.
Gen. Chaudhry highlighted that the National Action Plan (NAP), formulated after the tragic Army Public School attack in 2014, was not fully implemented, which contributed to the continued presence of terrorism.
Addressing the regional context, he pointed out that Afghanistan remains a safe haven for terrorists and criticized India for allegedly using Afghan territory as a base for terrorist operations.
He questioned the notion that dialogue alone could resolve every issue, citing historical examples such as the Battle of Badr, where decisive action was necessary. He explained that decisions to eliminate terrorism at its roots were collectively made by politicians and tribal elders.
Gen. Chaudhry also emphasized that no individual has the authority to compromise the state or endanger the lives, property, and honor of Pakistani citizens for personal gain.
He addressed misleading narratives surrounding Afghan refugees, clarifying that the state has decided on their return based on national interests, and expressed concern over attempts to politicize this decision. He noted that many of those killed in terrorist incidents have links to Afghanistan.
Furthermore, he called on those facilitating terrorists to choose one of three options: hand the terrorists over to the state, actively participate in state-led counterterrorism efforts, or face action by the state if they continue to provide assistance. He reaffirmed that Pakistan considers Afghanistan a brotherly Islamic country but insists that it must not allow its territory to be used as a base for terrorists.
Pakistani authorities have communicated this message through ministers visiting Afghanistan, urging action against facilitators. Gen. Chaudhry concluded by stating that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety and security of the Pakistani people.
He also highlighted challenges faced by law enforcement, noting that while KP’s police have shown great bravery in counterterrorism operations, their numbers remain insufficient, with only 3,200 officers currently deployed.
He stressed that the state will continue to strengthen law enforcement agencies, including the Counter Terrorism Department, to ensure sustainable progress against terrorism.
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