‘Protect KP, stop ‘begging Afghanistan’: DG ISPR blames governance failures, political confusion as toll rises

• Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Ch urges provincial government to fix governance gaps, saying sacrifices of soldiers paying for political failures
• Outlines factors behind recent resurgence in militancy, including failure to fully implement NAP, politicising terrorism, use of Afghan soil and ‘terror-crime nexus’
• In current year so far, 10,115 IBOs conducted, 970 terrorists killed, while 311 army personnel martyred
• Lt Gen Chaudhry laments issue of repatriating illegal Afghan residents had been ‘unnecessarily politicised’
• Saying all our partners understand space given to non-state actors in Afghanistan is not just a threat to Pakistan but to regional and global security

PESHAWAR/RAWALPINDI: The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on Friday called on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to focus on protecting its people rather than “begging Afghanistan” for security guarantees, saying that governance failures and political confusion were costing the lives of Pakistan’s security personnel.

Addressing a detailed press conference at the Peshawar Corps Headquarters, Lt Gen Chaudhry said that the province’s governance gaps were “being paid for by the blood of security forces,” and warned that appeasement or political exploitation of terrorism would not be tolerated.

“Appeasement of terrorists and their facilitators is never a policy,” he said. “The state and its institutions will not be distracted by any political distortions.”

Without naming anyone, the military spokesperson appeared to refer to former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying that “the state and its people cannot be left to the whims of any single person who is most responsible for bringing terrorism back to KP.”

He said the province’s leadership must “protect this province and its people instead of begging Afghanistan for security.”

Security operations and sacrifices

Lt Gen Chaudhry began his briefing by paying homage to the “brave sons of the soil” who had laid down their lives in the war against terror, saying Pakistan, especially KP, had been at the forefront of this struggle for two decades.

He shared detailed statistics to illustrate the military’s counterterrorism efforts. In 2024 alone, 14,535 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were carried out across KP, in which 769 terrorists — including 58 Afghans — were killed. During the same year, 272 army and Frontier Corps personnel, 140 policemen, and 165 civilians embraced martyrdom.

From January to mid-September 2025, another 10,115 IBOs were conducted, resulting in the killing of 970 terrorists, while 311 army personnel were martyred.

“When the frequency of terror incidents increased in 2021, the response also intensified, and a larger number of kharijis (outlaws) were neutralised in subsequent years,” he said.

From APS to resurgence

Tracing the history of militancy, the DG ISPR recalled that after the 2014 Army Public School (APS) attack, Pakistan launched a comprehensive counterterrorism campaign that brought the region close to peace.

“But unfortunately, as part of a plan, terrorists and their facilitators were again provided space here,” he remarked. “Governance and public welfare were deliberately weakened, and misleading narratives were promoted. The people of KP are still paying for that with their blood.”

‘Failures in NAP implementation’

Lt Gen Chaudhry outlined several factors behind the recent resurgence in militancy. The foremost, he said, was the failure to fully implement the National Action Plan (NAP), followed by politicising terrorism, India’s alleged use of Afghan soil for attacks in Pakistan, and the “terror-crime nexus” backed by local and political elements.

He reminded that after the APS tragedy, all political parties and governments had agreed to implement the 20-point NAP. “Yet, in 2021, some provisions were removed despite progress in those areas, and a revised 14-point plan was later adopted,” he noted.

Holding up a visual chart of the NAP during the briefing, he pointed to the first pillar — kinetic operations — and said that law enforcement agencies were fulfilling that commitment. “I have presented the data for KP; are more than 40 IBOs per day not proof enough?” he asked.

He questioned, however, whether similar seriousness was being shown on the remaining points, such as narrative unity, judicial reforms, and de-radicalisation.

“Do you not hear voices today calling for talks with these terrorists? Is that in line with NAP?” he asked. “If every problem’s solution lies in dialogue, then why did no one say ‘let’s talk’ when India fired missiles at Pakistan?”

Judicial, policing and governance weaknesses

The DG ISPR pointed out that no convictions had been achieved in ongoing anti-terrorism court cases in KP, with 34 cases still pending. “This is the judicial system that was to be strengthened,” he said, stressing that such institutional weaknesses undermined the fight against terror.

He also criticised the limited size of the provincial police force, noting that its 3,200 personnel strength was far from adequate given the scale of threats. “The terrorism situation is before everyone — is this number enough?” he asked.

Afghan refugee repatriation and politicisation

Lt Gen Chaudhry lamented that the issue of repatriating illegal Afghan residents had been “unnecessarily politicised.” He said misleading claims were made when the state took a lawful and necessary decision to send back undocumented foreigners.

“After the US withdrawal in 2021, modern weapons and ammunition left behind in Afghanistan are now being used by terrorists against Pakistan,” he revealed, adding that such weapons were recovered from militants killed in operations.

Engagement with Afghanistan

Responding to questions about a reported explosion in Kabul the previous night — which media claimed targeted banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud — the DG ISPR said the army had noted social media chatter and the Taliban’s statement.

“Afghanistan is a neighbourly, Islamic country with historic and cultural ties to us,” he said. “We only demand one thing: do not allow your soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan.”

He described this demand as “fair, rational and our right,” adding that Pakistan engages Kabul at multiple levels — directly, bilaterally and through allies — to raise concerns about the presence of terrorist leaders and their networks inside Afghanistan.

“While we continue this engagement, let me make it clear: we will do whatever is necessary to protect the lives of Pakistan’s people and its territorial integrity,” he warned.

Asked whether Pakistan or its allies carried out strikes in Afghanistan, Lt Gen Chaudhry replied that the “evidence clearly shows Afghan soil is being used for terror operations in Pakistan.” He reiterated that necessary measures for defence and internal security “are being and will continue to be taken.”

Saudi defence pact and international cooperation

The military spokesperson was also asked whether Saudi Arabia — following the recent defence agreement — could play a mediatory role with Afghanistan. He replied that Pakistan already engaged Saudi Arabia, the UAE, China, the US, Turkiye and other allies on counterterrorism coordination.

“All our partners understand that the space given to non-state actors in Afghanistan is not just a threat to Pakistan but to regional and global security,” he said, adding that outfits such as TTP, IS-K, and BLA were all present there.

“These groups have no religion or ideology; they work for the highest bidder,” he said. “History shows that countries nurturing such elements eventually suffer from them.”

He added that Pakistan would continue diplomatic engagement but stressed, “Your security cannot be outsourced. The responsibility to protect our people rests with the state, its institutions and its military.”

Terror dialogue and KP leadership changes

On a question about past talks with the TTP and recent political changes in KP, Lt Gen Chaudhry said that the stance of favouring dialogue over operations had proved disastrous.

“Who says there should be talks and not operations against terrorists? Who ran that campaign? Who refused to accept a government that stood against militants? Everyone knows who said that,” he remarked, referring indirectly to PTI leadership without naming names.

He said the “perverted and criminal thinking” that proposed negotiations with those who “slaughtered your children” had caused immense suffering. “The army, police and children of Pakistan are paying for that confusion.”

Asked whether Gandapur’s resignation and the selection of a new KP chief minister indicated closer ties with the establishment, he replied, “Do you mean to say a leadership hostile to the state is being brought in? This cannot happen. The state is stronger than individuals.”

He emphasised that counterterrorism operations would continue “without political distractions,” saying the military could not afford to be diverted by “political shenanigans.”

Faiz Hameed court martial

Responding to questions about the ongoing court martial proceedings against retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the DG ISPR said the process was proceeding deliberately and fairly.

“This is a serious matter concerning a former intelligence chief, so every procedural and legal requirement must be fulfilled,” he explained. “The Pakistan Army’s internal accountability system works on facts and evidence, not allegations.”

He said the accused had been given full opportunity to defend himself. “We are not concerned about delay because justice requires patience.”

Lt Gen Chaudhry added that the case also served as a warning against politicising institutional roles. “When you turn professional relations into political ones, you must answer for it,” he said. “That is why we always say: do not drag the military into politics.”

He reiterated that all political leaders were respected by the armed forces, but “if any individual considers himself above the state, that is unacceptable.”

Citing India’s example, he warned against the “Hindutva-style politicisation of armed forces,” saying the military must remain the “ultimate instrument of the state, not of ideology or politics.”

Weapons and collateral damage

On the question of leftover US weapons in Afghanistan, the DG ISPR said Pakistan had been sharing intelligence with Washington. “These weapons are being used by terrorists both in Pakistan and beyond,” he said, noting that the US understood the risk posed by the uncontrolled stockpiles.

To a question about collateral damage during operations, he replied that Pakistani operations were “intelligence-based and extremely precise.”

“If terrorists occupy a family home and fire on innocent people, and we respond — is that collateral damage or facilitation?” he asked. “We are the army of Pakistan and KP; we protect our people.”

He concluded by urging citizens not to sympathise with or shelter militants. “If a terrorist enters your home and you do not expel him, that makes you a facilitator,” he said. “There is no collateral damage — only terrorists and their enablers.”