Reason of terrorism in KP is political, criminal nexus: DG ISPR

Peshawar: Director General (DG) of Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry says that we are fighting the scourge of terrorism, but we all have to work together to uproot the scourge of terrorism.

Briefing the media in Peshawar, the DG ISPR of the Pakistan Army said that the purpose of coming here is to sit among the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and pay tribute to the people of the province in the war against terrorism.

He stated that the Pakistan Army is determined to eradicate terrorism. We all have to work together to uproot the scourge of terrorism.

He said that after the attack on the Army Public School in 2014, the political and military leadership formulated a joint National Action Plan, and the reasons for the increased terrorism are the lack of full implementation of the National Action Plan.

DG ISPR added that there are safe havens for terrorists in Afghanistan, and India’s use of Afghanistan as a base for terrorism is also a major reason for terrorism.

Lieutenant General further said that the solution to every problem is through dialogue. If this were the case, then wars would never have happened. If issues were resolved through dialogue, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) would never have fought in the Battle of Badr. Politicians and tribal elders jointly decided to uproot terrorism.

The Pakistan Army spokesperson said, "You people ask why terrorism is not ending. In 2014 and 2021, it was decided that the police would be strengthened in the war against terrorism, and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) would be strengthened. We salute the brave police of KP, but you have kept their number at only 3,200".

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the youth of our security forces are filling the governance vacuum in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with their own blood. There is a political and criminal nexus behind terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but no individual can be given the authority to trade the lives, property, and honor of the state and the people of Pakistan for his own gain.

He says that we have been hospitable to Afghan brothers for decades, misleading things are being said about Afghan refugees, the state decided to return them. Politics is being done on it, and a narrative is being created, where did this narrative come from today that Afghan refugees should not be sent back. Many Khawarij who died in terrorism belong to Afghanistan.

DG ISPR said that now the status quo will not work, the person or group who is facilitating Khawarij due to some compulsion or benefit has three choices:

• The facilitator should hand over the Khawarij to the state.
• They should join hands with state institutions in counter-terrorism operations and bring the virus to its end.
• If neither of these do not works, then be ready for action on behalf of the state while being a facilitator of the Khawarijs.

In response to a question, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Army said that Afghanistan is our brotherly Islamic country and we have only one demand that Afghanistan should not be allowed to become a haven for terrorists. Our ministers also went there and told them that the facilitators of the terrorists are there. The necessary steps that should be taken to protect the lives and property of the people of Pakistan will be taken.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that no one should have any doubt that the necessary steps to protect the lives and property of the people of Pakistan are being taken and will continue in the future.