Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday ruled out any negotiations with terrorists, saying militants must surrender or face decisive action.
Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad, the military spokesperson discussed Pakistan’s security situation, counterterrorism operations and the challenges facing Balochistan. He also spoke about the role of tribal leaders, cross-border militancy and ongoing efforts to strengthen state institutions.
DG ISPR Blames Certain Tribal Chiefs for Supporting Terrorism
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the main challenge in Balochistan was linked to certain tribal Sardars and members of the province’s elite.
According to him, some tribal chiefs allegedly sought a share in the province’s Rs1 trillion development budget. He claimed they threatened to fuel terrorism if their demands were not met.
He further alleged that some influential figures did not want children from underprivileged families to progress.
“We will not talk to you; we will talk to the people of Balochistan,” he said.
Allegations of Smuggling and Misuse of Levies Force
The DG ISPR also alleged that some tribal chiefs treated the Levies Force as their personal militia.
He claimed they wanted Levies personnel to guard their homes while drawing government salaries.
In addition, he alleged that certain individuals were involved in narcotics and diesel smuggling while presenting those activities as legitimate businesses.
He further claimed they sought official permits to conceal illegal commercial operations.
Security Situation in Balochistan
The military spokesperson rejected claims that the security situation in Balochistan was deteriorating.
He said deliberate efforts were being made to create such a perception.
According to him, the people of Balochistan remained the province’s true stakeholders, and Pakistan continued to be their foremost national identity.
He also stated that Balochistan’s per capita income stood at Rs70,000 compared with Rs45,000 in Punjab.
Remarks on Missing Persons
Speaking about missing persons, the DG ISPR said propaganda surrounding enforced disappearances had been exposed.
He claimed that comparing the list of missing persons with the membership list of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) would show they were the same.
“Hard State” Needed for Stability
During the briefing, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan’s broader challenge involved becoming what he described as a “hard state.”
He explained that a hard state did not mean military rule.
Instead, he said it referred to a country where the Constitution and the law applied equally to everyone.
According to him, security, stability and justice could only be ensured when laws were implemented without discrimination.
He also stressed that politics could function effectively only when the state remained secure.
India, Afghanistan and Militant Groups
The DG ISPR alleged that India and Afghanistan shared a common agenda against Pakistan.
He claimed the Afghan Taliban government was supporting militant groups operating against the country.
He also alleged that more than 300 fake Indian websites were spreading propaganda related to Balochistan.
Furthermore, he claimed Afghan nationals had been involved in recent bombing incidents, including attacks in Tank and Karachi.
No Negotiations With Militants
The military spokesperson delivered a firm message regarding militant groups. He ruled out any possibility of negotiations and warned terrorists to surrender.
“The DG ISPR ruled out any talks with the terrorists, warning them to lay down their weapons or the security forces will send them to hell.”
He reiterated that there was no longer any space for negotiations with militants. According to him, security forces would continue operations against terrorist organisations.
Counterterrorism Operations Continue Nationwide
The DG ISPR also shared updated figures on counterterrorism efforts across Pakistan. He said security forces had conducted 40,348 counterterrorism operations so far in 2026.
According to the briefing, 2,084 militants were killed during those operations. He added that 28 bomb explosions had been recorded nationwide this year.
The figures presented showed 31,080 operations were conducted in Balochistan, 7,177 operations took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 2,091 operations were carried out in other parts of Pakistan.
The military said operations against militant groups would continue as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and maintain stability across the country.
