Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has reiterated that the military’s stance on the violent protests of May 9 remains unchanged: those involved in the riots must be held accountable.
“The army’s position on [May 9] is clear, as conveyed in the May 7 press conference. There has been no change, nor will there be,” he stated during a media briefing on the country’s security situation at Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ).
Providing an update on anti-terrorism efforts, the military spokesperson revealed that 23,622 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) have been conducted so far this year, with 2,045 of those operations carried out in the past 15 days, resulting in the elimination of 24 terrorists. He noted that over 100 IBOs are conducted daily by the army and law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
Referring to the government’s recent notification labeling the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized that the militant group has no connection to Islam. He highlighted the military’s particular focus on the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that the fight against terrorism will continue until the last militant is eradicated.
Contributions to Education and Other Sectors
Discussing the military’s contributions to the education sector, Lt Gen Chaudhry described education as a cornerstone of national development. He mentioned that digital education is being provided to the youth, with a special focus on Balochistan, where a scholarship program has been initiated for students.
He added that the military is covering additional expenses for these students beyond their studies. “About 92 schools are being run in Balochistan, educating 19,000 students,” he said. Additionally, the army has established 171 schools and three cadet colleges in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
The DG ISPR also mentioned the army’s efforts in healthcare, noting that medical camps have been set up in various districts, providing free treatment. He highlighted the involvement of local and foreign companies in numerous development projects in the merged districts. The top priorities of the Pakistan Army in Balochistan, he said, include education, health, and access to clean water.
He also noted the completion of significant road and bridge projects in Balochistan with the army’s support, as well as a date-processing project in Panjgur in collaboration with the UAE.
Army Reiterates Support for Kashmiris
On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, which marks the fifth anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution, Lt Gen Chaudhry reaffirmed the Pakistan Army’s support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“We are aware of the inhuman lockdown, illegal demographic changes, and human rights violations in the region, which defy international law and threaten regional stability,” he said.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed that resolving the Kashmir issue according to UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people is essential for peace in the region. On this day, he said, the Pakistan Army honors the sacrifices of the martyrs of IIOJK and stands with the Kashmiri people in their struggle against injustice.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
