ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that the Pakistan Army has no interest in taking innocent lives under the guise of counter-terrorism.
The DG ISPR held a special session with students, during which he responded to questions from students belonging to Balochistan.
He stated that people are often misled into thinking that the people and youth of Balochistan harbor resentment toward Pakistan, but in reality, Baloch citizens fully understand their connection with Pakistan and their province.
Highlighting sacrifices, he said that Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar Shaheed was a remarkable officer and a son of the soil, who had previously foiled the Gwadar attack by eliminating several terrorists. Every day, Pakistan’s officers, soldiers, and civilians sacrifice their lives to keep the country free, he added.
“Punishment for one terrorist cannot be inflicted on an entire community”
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif emphasized that military operations are only successful when the local population itself identifies terrorists. “It is not the case that the Army evacuates areas and conducts operations on its own, because once the Army withdraws, terrorists can return,” he explained.
He further said, “This is why these are called intelligence-based operations. The Army has no interest in harming innocent people in the name of counter-terrorism. We must act wisely, in partnership with the people and administration of Balochistan, to expose terrorists, their facilitators, and planners. A whole village cannot be punished for the act of one person. But if someone shelters terrorists or stores explosives in their home, they will face the consequences.”
He noted that the people themselves must stand up against terrorism—and they are already doing so. The DG ISPR added that the people of Balochistan are wise and farsighted, fed up with terrorists, and are now themselves identifying them and their facilitators.
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“Pakistan was founded on the basis of the Kalima, not ethnicity or region”
The spokesperson highlighted success stories from Balochistan, such as renowned scientist Samad Yar Jung, who graduated from Cambridge and studied at Biladah School, and Shahzeb Rind, who is today charting his own destiny. He pointed out that Baloch women are now serving as deputy commissioners in districts, and hundreds of examples show how educated Baloch youth have become masters of their own future.
He reiterated that Pakistan was created not on ethnic or regional lines but on the basis of the Kalima (Islamic creed). Quoting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) , he said: “No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; no white over a black, nor a black over a white—except in piety.”
The DG ISPR also noted that Balochistan is not home to Baloch alone; more than 30% of its population comprises Pashtuns. In fact, more Baloch live in Sindh and South Punjab than in Balochistan itself. “Pakistan’s very meaning is La ilaha illallah, and this belief is deeply rooted in our identity because the country was founded on the Kalima,” he concluded.
