No interest in taking innocent lives in the name of counterterrorism: ISPR DG

Rawalpindi: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has said that the Pakistan Army has no interest whatsoever in taking innocent lives in the name of counterterrorism. However, if any citizen shelters terrorists or keeps explosives in their homes, they will have to face the consequences.

Chaudhry was holding a special session with students participating in the internship programme organised by ISPR. The discussion primarily revolved around Pakistan, with a special focus on Balochistan.

The DG ISPR also gave detailed answers to questions raised by students from Balochistan. Responding to a question about demands for a large-scale operation against terrorism in Balochistan, he said: “It is often instilled in our minds that something is brewing among the people and youth of Balochistan against Pakistan. This perception is misleading.”

He further emphasized that the people of Balochistan fully understand the relationship between their province and Pakistan. Paying tribute to the martyrs, he recalled: “Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar Shaheed was an exceptional officer and a proud son of this soil. He had previously eliminated several terrorists in the PC Hotel Gwadar attack. Every day, our officers, soldiers, and citizens sacrifice their lives to keep Pakistan free.”

During the session, a detailed discussion took place about Pakistan, with a special focus on Balochistan. He highlighted the sacrifices being rendered by both security personnel and civilians.

The DG ISPR emphasised that an operation in any area can only succeed when the local population identifies the terrorists themselves.

He stated that the people of Balochistan are indeed rising against terrorism and are actively pointing out terrorists and their facilitators.

He praised the Baloch people, describing them as highly intelligent and far-sighted.