Reaffirming Pakistan’s long held stance, the spokesperson stressed, We are not against the Afghan people, we are against terrorism, firmly, clearly, and without exceptions.
In what appeared to be a direct message to both domestic and regional stakeholders, the DG ISPR stated that Pakistan draws no artificial lines between militant groups. There is no concept of good or bad Taliban in our national security lens, he said. A terrorist is simply a terrorist.
He added that non custom paid vehicles, often used in cross border smuggling, have repeatedly surfaced in acts of terrorism and should be banned without delay. It is time for the Taliban government to decide like a state, not like a non-state actor, he remarked pointedly.
General Chaudhry cautioned that normal trade and peaceful ties cannot continue if Pakistan remains under attack. It is impossible to face repeated assaults and still carry on business as usual, he said. Blood and business cannot move together.
He repeated that Pakistan responds as a state, not as a scattered collection of actors, and that the country’s position is rooted in legitimacy. We stand on the side of truth, and truth eventually prevails.
The DG ISPR also noted that a certain political party has been running an online campaign aimed at spreading anti state narratives, a trend the military views with growing concern.
Providing operational details, he revealed that since 4 November, Pakistan has launched 4,910 counterterrorism operations, averaging 232 operations per day, as the threat landscape remains turbulent. During the same period, 336 terrorist incidents were recorded nationwide.
Addressing questions regarding the possible trial of former ISI chief General Faiz Hameed, the military spokesperson said the matter lies squarely in the legal domain. Speculation serves no purpose, he said. Once the process reaches a final outcome, it will be announced immediately.
