- From now on, we will use term Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to TTP, and its members as ‘Kharji’: Lt-Gen Chaudhry
- Says not enough is being done against ‘digital terrorism,’ allowing fake news and propaganda to spread in the country
- Enumerates the Army’s contribution to the development of education and health sectors in Balochistan, AJK and GB
RAWALPNDI: Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, reaffirmed the military’s firm stance on the violent protests of May 9, emphasizing that those responsible must face accountability.
“Our position on May 9 is clear and remains unchanged, as stated in the May 7 press conference. There has been no shift in our stance, nor will there be,” he declared during a press briefing from Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ).
When asked about reports of ongoing talks with a certain political party and the army’s position on the May 9 riots, the DG ISPR replied that the army’s “very clear” stance was already stated during a press conference on May 7.
“Neither has there been any change in this [position] nor there will be,” he asserted.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry’s response to the menace of ‘Digital Terrorists’ #IIOJK #Kashmir #PakistanArmy #ISPR #Youm_E_Istehsal #Pakistan #DGISPR pic.twitter.com/s04urclG28
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) August 5, 2024
Last week, PTI founder Imran Khan — after experiencing months of strained relations with the army — in an apparent softening of stance categorically said that his party was ready for talks with the military establishment.
Speaking about the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lt-Gen Chaudhry also announced a strategic change in terminology, stating that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will now be referred to as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ and its members as ‘Kharji’ or outcasts. “This is because it is a mischief-making group; it’s neither an ideology nor has anything to do with Islam or Pakistan,” he asserted.
“The government has recently notified the group as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and from now on, we will use the term Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to the TTP, while all terrorists associated with the group would be termed khariji (outcasts)”, he said.
“This is because it is a mischief-making group; it’s neither an ideology nor has anything to do with Islam or Pakistan,” he asserted.
He said that 139 soldiers embraced martyrdom during the first seven months of the year,
“The entire nation pays tribute to the brave martyrs and their families,” he said.
“This shows that the Pakistani security forces, law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies were entirely focused on making the country’s internal and border security certain and lasting.”
He further said that the fight against terrorism would continue until the last terrorist was eliminated.
Security forces conducted 23,622 operations in 2024
Lt Gen Chaudhry also briefed the nation on the country’s security situation, effective measures taken against terrorism and the professional activities of the military, particularly the counter-terrorism operations the security forces performed during the year.
“Security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) conducted 23,622 small and large-scale intelligence-based operations in the country,” the DG ISPR said. “Out of the total, 2,045 operations were carried out over the last 15 days.”
He added that “24 terrorists” were eliminated during operations conducted over the last 15 days.
“It is important to mention that to fight terrorism, the Pakistan Army, intelligence, police and other law enforcement agencies conduct more than a hundred operations daily,” he said.
‘Not enough being done against digital terrorism’
During the briefing, the DG ISPR said that not enough was being done against “digital terrorism” under the law, allowing fake news and propaganda to spread in the country.
He emphasized that the first line of defence against “digital terrorism” was the country’s law.
“It is the country’s law that has to control and curb digital terrorism [but] unfortunately, you can see that lies, propaganda — particularly on social media — fake news and doctored images continue to spread while confusion is created in the public’s mind,” he said.
“But the law is not taking its course against [digital terrorism] the way it should.”
On the other hand, he said, the Pakistan Army was taking the matter very seriously.
“Which is why, whoever — whether in Pakistan or abroad and irrespective of their position — is found spreading propaganda against the Pakistan Army, creating a distance between the army and the people, or is found to be involved in spreading fake news, the army will take necessary legal action against it, and there is a whole process for it,” he explained.
The term “digital terrorism” entered the country’s political vernacular quite recently when a top military moot used it on May 30.
There are no laws in Pakistan for “digital terrorists” or “digital terrorism”. Section 8 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 deals with cyberterrorism.
BYC a ‘proxy of terrorist organisations, criminal mafias’
On the occasion, the ISPR spokesperson denounced the rights movement Baloch Yakjehti Committee and its “so-called leadership” as a “proxy of terrorist organisations and criminal mafias and nothing more than that”.
He alleged that the “proxy” was tasked to defame and spread propaganda against law enforcement agencies taking action against smugglers, criminals, and the “illegal spectrum”, as well as make development projects in the province controversial.
“The method of action is through gathering a mob through foreign funding and a foreign stance, persuade innocent citizens around that mob, challenge the state’s writ … and feign innocence when the state responds.”
He termed the Baloch National Gathering a “drama” that was concocted in the past few days in Gwadar.
The BYC kicked off a protest in Gwadar on July 28, following arrests and deadly clashes with security forces, against alleged human rights violations and exploitation of the province’s resources.
Prominent leaders were arrested in the ensuing days, prompting widespread protests. The BYC signed an agreement with the provincial government on August 2 and agreed to end the protest following the fulfilment of its demands, including the release of all those arrested. However, distrust between the government and BYC leadership deepened after fresh recriminations over the killing of a protester in Noshki and demonstrations by the group are still ongoing.
The military spokesperson alleged that the protesters blocked roads, pelted pilgrims with stones, burnt tyres and attacked the Frontier Corps, claiming that one soldier was martyred by the mob.
“This proxy … was exposed under the Baloch Raji Muchi,” he said.
Contributions to Education and Health
Addressing educational initiatives, Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that digital education is being provided to the youth, with a scholarship program specifically for Balochistan students, emphasizing their role as the country’s future. He noted that the army covers additional expenses beyond their studies. “About 92 schools are being run in Balochistan, educating 19,000 students,” he stated. Additionally, the army has established 171 schools and three cadet colleges in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
On healthcare, he mentioned that medical camps have been set up in various districts, offering free treatment, and that numerous projects are underway with the involvement of local and foreign companies.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on the occasion of #Youm_E_Istehsal (5 August)
Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K)#IIOJK #Kashmir #PakistanArmy #Pakistan #DGISPR #ISPR pic.twitter.com/F8A8v2foCf
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) August 5, 2024
Support for Kashmiris
On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, Lt Gen Chaudhry reiterated the Pakistan Army’s unwavering support for the people of IIOJK. He condemned the inhuman lockdown, demographic changes, and human rights violations in the region, highlighting their defiance of international law. He stressed that resolving the Kashmir issue according to United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people is essential for lasting peace. “On this significant day, the Pakistan Army pays tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK and stands in solidarity with the Kashmiris in their struggle against injustice,” he stated.
