In a historic first, DG ISI addresses media; sheds light on Arshad Sharif’s death, cypher

Rawalpindi: In an unexpected press conference, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum joined Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Major General Babar Iftikhar in Rawalpindi regarding the killing of Pakistan’s renowned journalist Arshad Sharif.

Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar was addressing a press conference 

At the outset of today's media talk, DG ISPR stated that the presser is being held to shed light on the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and present necessary facts ‘as false narratives are misleading the people’.    

He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already been informed about the press conference's sensitivity.

Arshad Sharif

Lieutenant General Babar called Arshad Sharif an "icon of Pakistan’s journalism”, terming his death as “unfortunate incident”. 

“His [Arshad Sharif] family members had served in the army,” he noted, adding that he always felt the pain of martyred officers. 

He further added that Sharif--a martyr’s son and a martyr’s brother-- was a hardworking journalist and possessed the ability to recognise and efficiently narrate a researched based story.  

"Some quarters may have differences with his political views but his dedication for work is undeniable," he said while adding that Arshad was popular for being an investigative journalist.

Cypher Issue 

Gen Iftikhar went on to say that when the ‘cypher’ surfaced, the slain journalist conducted several programmes on the matter. 

Lt Gen Babar then mentioned that Arshad Sharif held several meetings with the former Prime Minister Imran Khan and interviewed him. 

“On March 27, when that piece of paper was waved in a bid to make a story that was far away from the reality, it really was startling for us,” he said, adding that the facts behind the cypher and Sharif's death have to be determined. 

While talking about the cypher, DG ISPR said that the army chief had discussed it with Khan on March 11 when the latter termed it "not a big thing".  The top official said that several facts had come to light regarding the cypher, revealing that a "baseless and unfounded" narrative surrounding it. 

He said that the ISPR informed the National Security Committee (NSC) that no proof was found regarding the ‘foreign conspiracy’ against the Khan-led government as Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) did not find any evidence. 

All of this has been “taken on record” in context from reliable sources, he said adding that we wanted to bring this to the public and left the decision to the PTI government. 

However, this did not happen and groundless rumors were spread to gain political mileage, he said, stressing that, "Institutions, leadership and even the COAS were criticized without a solid reason to create chaotic situation”. 

He further noted that ARY News played the role of a 'spin doctor' in targeting the army and journalist Arshad Sharif made strong comments during that time, but added that "we did not have any negative sentiments about him (Arshad)". 

"To all this baseless narrative, the army chief and the institution showed restraint and tried their level best that politicians sit together to resolve their issues." said Gen Iftikhar. 

TTP Death Threat

During the press conference, the DG ISPR also revealed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on August 5 issued a threat letter following the directives of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan which stated that a Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter group is posing a danger to Arshad Sharif's life. 

This shows the threat alerts were issued with the aim to force Sharif to leave Pakistan, said Gen Iftikhar, adding that there were reports that Sharif did not want to leave the country. 

But he was 'continuously being reminded' that he was facing a threat to this life, he said revealing that he was forced to leave the country. 

He said nobody forced the senior journalist to leave Dubai at a government level, questioning who exactly forced him to leave Dubai.

He added that the ARY CEO Salman Iqbal should be brought back to Pakistan and made part of the investigations into the unjust death of the prominent journalist.

DG ISI's Rare Public Appearance

For the first time in Pakistan's history, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum made a rare appearance at the press conference.

The head of the country's spy agency has directly addressed the media.

“I know you might be surprised to see me amongst you as my position demands me to remain in the shadows,” said DG ISI. 

“Its hard being silent, when the agency was being targeted based on lies” he said adding that “I came here for my department, the officials who laid their lives for this country and particularly my agency, who as the first defense line of Pakistan work around the clock in every part of the world”.  

"The nation has entrusted me with the duty to safeguard the state’s secrets and take them to the grave,” said General Anjum. But if needed, I’ll reveal the confidential information to defend my agency, martyred officers, he added.

Arshad Sharif-Establishment Connections 

Sharif did not face any threat in Pakistan, said Lt Gen Anjum adding that the members of Sharif's family were martyred officers and the journalist had contacts with the establishment.

When he went abroad, he was still in contact with the establishment, he said.

"He was in contact with his Kenyan counterpart regarding the probe," said Lt Gen adding that initial investigations said it was a case of 'mistaken identity'. However, we and the government are not fully convinced.

Following this, the Shehbaz-led government has formed a team that will head to Kenya.

He also added that intelligence officers had been removed from the probe teams so that a "fair probe" could be conducted.

Slamming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum stated: “Its not possible that you meet Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at night and call him traitor in the day”. 

“If the commander-in-chief Qamar Javed Bajwa is a traitor then why did you meet him in hiding?” he asked.

DG ISI lamented the language used by certain political elements against Pakistan Army and its top leadership. He said they are doing so because the institution had declined to play the unconstitutional role.  

"The institution has decided to confine itself to constitutional role and stay away from politics," he stated.  

Responding to a question, the DG ISPR said the appointment of the new Army Chief will take place on time in accordance with the constitutional requirements.

To a question regarding the long march, the DG ISPR said that protesting is a democratic right. He said this should not worry anybody as Pakistan faces no threat from it. 

The DG ISI said Pakistan Army will extend help to the government to control the situation if it was called under article 245.