RAWALPINDI: Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has made it clear that the Pakistan Army has no interest in engaging with political parties. In a recent interview with BBC Urdu, he emphasized that the military works only with the state — a state that functions within the boundaries of Pakistan’s Constitution.
“The Pakistan Army communicates only with the state,” he said. “This state is shaped through political parties but is governed under the Constitution. We do not deal with political groups separately. We operate within constitutional boundaries, and we follow the sitting government — no matter which party is in power.”
Lt Gen Chaudhry made a firm appeal to all groups and individuals to stop involving the armed forces in political matters. He underlined the army’s neutral and apolitical character. He pointed out that many baseless rumors are deliberately spread to create doubts about the military’s role.
“One common falsehood is that the Pakistan Army doesn’t perform its duties and interferes in politics,” he said. “When Ma’rakah-e-Haq happened, did we not fulfill our responsibilities? We did. Our focus has always remained on our profession.”
He went on to say that the military’s loyalty lies with the people of Pakistan. “Our priority is national security, public safety, and territorial integrity,” he stated. “That is our real work. That is our duty.”
He asked a rhetorical question: “Has there ever been a time when the people felt the army was absent?” And he answered it himself — “Absolutely not.”
Once again, Lt Gen Chaudhry reminded that political dialogue is the job of elected representatives. “The armed forces of Pakistan must stay away from politics,” he stressed. He also questioned why the names of military leaders are brought into public debates during times of political crisis.
“This is something politicians need to reflect on,” he said. “Why do they drag the military into controversies? Is it their own failure they want to hide?”
He accused certain political figures of trying to damage the military’s image to cover up their shortcomings. “Such efforts only reflect their weaknesses,” he added.
The Pakistan Army, he said, is always ready to support both the public and the government. “Whether it’s escorting polio teams, helping WAPDA with power meter inspections, or even cleaning canals, we are there,” he shared. “This is what a people’s army does. We serve when called upon.”
Responding to a question about the army’s presence in various provinces, he clarified that their deployment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan was based on instructions from the respective provincial governments.
“These decisions are made by the political leadership, not by the army itself,” he explained.
Speaking on the propaganda campaign against the Pakistan Army, the DG ISPR said that claims suggesting that the people of Balochistan are against the military are false. “This is Indian propaganda,” he stated. “Those who believe in such lies need to clear their heads.”
He revealed that India’s spy agency RAW is behind this misinformation. “Thousands of fake social media accounts are operating from Europe,” he said. “They spread fake narratives about anti-Pakistan sentiment in Balochistan.”
On the issue of missing persons, the DG ISPR said that one must separate truth from lies. “This issue exists in many countries, not just Pakistan,” he said. “India, the UK, and the United States all have missing persons cases.”
He informed that Pakistan now has a dedicated commission to handle this matter. “The government is working hard to trace every missing individual,” he assured.
In conclusion, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry firmly restated that the Pakistan Army is committed to its constitutional role. The military does not want involvement in politics. Its loyalty remains with the nation and the people — always.
