RAWALPINDI – Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif addressed a press conference in garrison city of Rawalpindi on Monday.
DG ISPR Press Conference
Counter-Terrorism Operations Update
This year, 22,409 intelligence-based operations have been conducted against terrorists and their facilitators, with over 112 operations being conducted daily by the military and law enforcement agencies.
Operation Azm-i-Istehkam not a military campaign
DG Ahmed explained that Azm-i-Istehkam is a comprehensive counter-terrorism campaign with national consensus, not a military operation, and criticized the politicization of this important issue .He clarified that the operation aims to reinvigorate the National Action Plan, not to displace people.
Strong Lobby behind propaganda of Azm e Istehkam
A strong lobby is working to prevent the objectives of the National Action Plan from being fulfilled due to high stakes involving a lot of money. Kinetic operations are ongoing successfully, with four to five operations conducted every hour.
Illegal Spectrum and Economic Impact
The National Action Plan addresses ending the illegal spectrum, which supports a major illegal economy fueling terrorism and crime.
Bannu Peace Rally Violence
Specific negative elements infiltrated the peace march in Bannu, leading to violence and injuries. The army responded according to standard operating procedures, including aerial firing to disperse the chaotic crowd.
May 9 Incident
The legal and judicial system’s leniency towards perpetrators of the May 9 incident could lead to increased discord, mob mentality, and fascism. Riot control and maintaining law and order are the provincial government’s responsibilities, not the military’s.
