Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. Photo: File
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry assailed incarcerated former premier Imran Khan, on Friday, calling him a “threat to national security” and warning that no one will be allowed to incite the public against the armed forces.
He said that Khan’s “anti-army” rhetoric has crossed the limits of politics and now poses a direct threat to the nation’s security.
Read: DG ISPR reaffirms to respond firmly to any external threat
Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR described a “creeping national security threat” that the military has deemed necessary to confront.
“Who are you? What message do you want to give? Who do you think you are?” quipped DG ISPR addressing Imran.
He described Imran as a “sick-minded person” and maintained “They [PTI] have a comical obsession with the Pakistan Army. They don’t talk about real issues, and that is their entire politics.”
Highlighting the growing influence of one individual, he said, “One person’s ambitions are greater than the state itself. The armed forces serve as a shield between the public and extremist ideologies. That individual’s political relevance has ended; he should focus on his own politics and keep the military out of it.”
“We cannot allow them to establish the business of fake news and lies in the country,” insisted Gen Chaudhry, adding that a dangerous narrative is being propagated. “This narrative that the military is the state is false. The military is not the state; the government is supreme.”
DG ISPR highlighted the strategic role of Pakistan’s armed forces in protecting the country from external and internal threats, stressing that attacking the military undermines national security. He said, “It is the armed forces that are standing between the Hindutva mindset in India and their hegemonic design, and the people of Pakistan. It is these armed forces that are standing between the khawarij, terrorists, Fitna al-Khawarij, Fiitna al-Hindustan operating from Afghanistan and the people.”
The state uses Fitna al-Khawarij” as a term for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while “Fitna al-Hindustan” refers to Indian-backed extremist proxies.
Lt Gen Sharif also accused foreign social media platforms and media in Afghanistan and India of promoting anti-army narratives. He said trolling accounts amplify negative content about the armed forces, and that some Indian media outlets act as facilitators for these narratives. He cited interviews on Indian media by Pakistani political figures as examples of this influence.
Referring to domestic political actors, he alleged that some individuals are heavily funding anti-army campaigns and that their narratives are being spread by Afghan media trolls. He described certain critics as mentally unstable and accused them of spreading misinformation, which is quickly amplified by foreign actors.
He further added, “Every country has an army. It is a famous saying that there will always be an army in a country, but if it is not yours, it will be your enemy’s. So, the one who attacks their own army and its leadership, is he trying to create space for someone else’s army? What is his design? Why is he trying to do that?”
Continuing his criticism of PTI founder Imran Khan, DG ISPR said that whenever people meet him, he sets aside the law, Constitution, and rules to push a narrative against Pakistan, particularly targeting the armed forces and its leadership.
The DG ISPR stressed that it is for the government, not the military, to decide whether to restrict meetings at Adiala Jail or take action regarding Imran Khan’s social media accounts. He insisted that “they cannot create differences between the Army and the people of Pakistan.”
“Under which law, rules, or constitutional provision can this be allowed? Which politics in Pakistan permits meeting a convict while using it to build a continuous narrative against the country’s armed forces? Which constitutional provision allows this?” Lt Gen Chaudhry asked, referring to PTI’s demand to meet Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since 2023.
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Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry further stated it was crucial for the military’s media wing to address misinformation, clarify doubts, and explain the armed forces’ role clearly. “We need to understand how this narrative is spreading, and unfortunately, how it is being amplified in deep collusion with external actors,” he added.
He emphasized that the Pakistan Army does not represent any ethnicity, language, religion, sect, political ideology, or elite class. “We come from all areas, all religions, all sects, all political views, but we put all that aside once we wear this uniform. We serve and sacrifice daily for the people of Pakistan and the integrity of the country. This is your armed forces, and we are clear about our character and our duty,” he said.
Addressing the regulation of social media and dissent, DG ISPR said, “You talk about Article 17 of the Constitution and freedom of expression. It clearly says that freedom of expression and political activity are permitted, subject to reasonable restrictions. Under reasonable restrictions, nothing can be allowed that goes against the security and integrity of the state.”
He added, “Article 19 says freedom of expression is allowed, and it absolutely is, but such freedom cannot be used to undermine the security, integrity, and defence of Pakistan. Is it written [in the Constitution] or not? So, under which law, constitution, or rules can it be allowed that when you meet a convict, he spins a narrative against the army and its leadership?”
He further responded to a journalist’s question on the May 9 cases, saying that the matters are being handled in civil courts and the military has no role in commenting. “If you want answers, you can address your questions to Azam Nadeem Tarar or the relevant authority,” he added.
On a question regarding the imposition of governor rule, he clarified that it is a matter for the government and the military has no involvement.
Lt. Gen. Sharif concluded by emphasizing that countering terrorism requires political will and unity. He stressed the importance of implementing the National Action Plan and warned against politicizing national security. “We have sworn to protect the state and have demonstrated our commitment,” he said.
