In a press conference held in Rawalpindi on Monday, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), lamented the politicization of critical issues in Pakistan, citing Azm-e-Istehkam as a prominent example. Azm-e-Istehkam, he clarified, is not merely a military operation but a holistic counter-terrorism campaign. General Chaudhry highlighted that despite being an integrated initiative aimed at enhancing national security, certain factions are actively politicizing its objectives.
General Chaudhry recalled a recent Apex Committee meeting where Azm-e-Istehkam was extensively discussed, reaffirming that the campaign operates under a national anti-terrorism policy forged through consensus. Addressing concerns regarding the campaign’s impact, he dismissed claims of no-go areas across the country, assuring that Azm-e-Istehkam does not entail mass displacements.
Responding to criticism and misinformation surrounding Azm-e-Istehkam, General Chaudhry pointed out that the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement to clarify its nature and objectives. He expressed dismay over efforts by certain political and illegal entities to undermine the campaign’s effectiveness.
Providing operational statistics, the DG ISPR emphasized the intensity of ongoing efforts, revealing that the armed forces conduct multiple intelligence-based operations daily in collaboration with law enforcement agencies. He noted the significant sacrifices made, with 31 high-value targets neutralized and 137 officers and soldiers martyred in the line of duty this year alone.
General Chaudhry reiterated that Azm-e-Istehkam embodies Pakistan’s robust stance against terrorism, emphasizing its comprehensive nature beyond mere military operations. He urged for national unity in supporting efforts to secure the country against threats posed by terrorism.
