ISPR DG Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said the Pakistan Army does not represent any political ideology and is not a stakeholder in Pakistani politics.
Speaking during a press briefing, he said dialogue is the prerogative of political parties and urged politicians to resolve national issues through talks. He added that talks and political dialogue are the responsibility of political parties.
“We are not stakeholders in Pakistani politics,” he said. He added that the armed forces are the forces of the state of Pakistan and do not represent any political thought.
“You should solve problems through dialogue. Who has stopped you?” the ISPR DG said.
The military spokesperson said the Pakistan Army does not belong to any political camp. He said the institution’s role is to defend the state and fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.
According to the ISPR chief, political leadership must decide political and diplomatic matters, while the armed forces remain focused on national defence.
India accused of using terrorist groups
He also said India sometimes uses Fitna al-Khawarij and sometimes Fitna al-Hindustan against Pakistan, accusing India of planning against Pakistan in collaboration with the Afghan foreign minister.
The spokesperson said terrorism is part of India’s nature and that Afghanistan has become a haven for all kinds of terrorists. He also stressed that Operation Ghazab Lil Haq has not ended.
“Who said that Operation Ghazab Lil Haq is not ongoing?” he said, adding that a pause was given according to the requirement of time. Pakistan remains engaged in the fight against terrorism and will continue its operations when needed, he added.
Pakistan values Saudi Arabia’s security
The spokesperson said Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia are very deep, adding that it values Saudi Arabia’s security just as it values its own.
According to him, the security of Harmain Sharifain is directly linked to the security of Saudi Arabia, adding that any threat to Saudi Arabia would also be considered a threat to Pakistan.
“We are fulfilling the promise we have made,” he said, adding that Pakistan remains committed to its assurances.
Diplomacy is for political leadership to decide
The spokesperson said diplomacy has to be decided by the political leadership. He added that the armed forces follow the national vision and decisions made at the political and strategic level.
According to the ISPR chief, Marka-e-Haq was won through the insight and vision of both military and political leadership. He further said water is a fundamental right and no one has the right to play with the future of 250 million people.
He said the water issue between Pakistan and India must be resolved. The spokesperson warned that Pakistan would not allow anyone to violate the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan to defend rights under Indus Waters Treaty
The ISPR chief said six rivers were divided under the Indus Waters Treaty. He said Pakistan has rights under the treaty and those rights must be respected, adding that no violation of the Indus Waters Treaty would be allowed.
The ISPR chief said Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and the future of the region must be decided by the people of Kashmir.
The spokesperson said India’s assessment of Pakistan is completely wrong and that occupied Kashmir remains central to Pakistan’s national position.
People and army united
The military spokesperson said India was given a wrong impression that there was distance between the people of Pakistan and the army.
“We repeatedly said that no one dares to come between the people and the army,” he said. He added that Pakistan’s people, army and leadership are united.
He further said the Pakistan Army is not an army of the elite but an army of the poor. He said some people inside Pakistan also misled India by saying the armed forces did not know their job.
According to him, India was told wrongly, while Pakistan demonstrated from May 6 to 10 that its forces know their work and much more.
India told to stop underestimating Pakistan
The ISPR chief told India to stop boasting about itself and stop underestimating others. “We place them where they are,” he said.
He added that Pakistan also knows its own strength and position, adding that Pakistan’s army is battle-hardened and should not be underestimated.
'Do not test our resolve'
The ISPR chief said Pakistan has repeatedly warned that its forces are experienced and prepared. He said Pakistan’s enemies should not test the country’s resolve.
According to the spokesperson, the Pakistan Army remains ready to defend the homeland, protect national interests and respond to any threat with unity and strength.
.jpg)
