Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif, held a press conference in Rawalpindi on Monday to address several key issues.
DG ISPR Press Conference Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzAIgbVSX_o
Counter-Terrorism Operations Update
Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif provided an update on counter-terrorism efforts, revealing that 22,409 intelligence-based operations have been carried out against terrorists and their facilitators this year. On average, over 112 operations are conducted daily by the military and law enforcement agencies.
Operation Azm-i-Istehkam: A National Consensus Campaign
The DG ISPR clarified that Operation Azm-i-Istehkam is not a military campaign but a comprehensive counter-terrorism initiative supported by national consensus. He emphasized that the operation aims to reinvigorate the National Action Plan (NAP) without displacing people and criticized the politicization of this important issue.
Propaganda Against Azm-i-Istehkam
He pointed out that a strong lobby is working to undermine the objectives of the National Action Plan due to high stakes involving substantial amounts of money. Despite this, kinetic operations are ongoing successfully, with four to five operations being conducted every hour.
Tackling Illegal Spectrum and Its Economic Impact
The National Action Plan also targets the illegal spectrum, which supports a significant illegal economy that fuels terrorism and crime.
Violence at Bannu Peace Rally
The DG ISPR addressed the violence at the Bannu peace rally, attributing it to specific negative elements infiltrating the march, which led to injuries. The army responded by following standard operating procedures, including aerial firing to disperse the chaotic crowd.
May 9 Incident
Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif expressed concerns about the legal and judicial system’s leniency towards the perpetrators of the May 9 incident. He warned that such leniency could lead to increased discord, mob mentality, and fascism. He also noted that riot control and maintaining law and order are responsibilities of the provincial government, not the military.
