RAWALPINDI: Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) on Friday criticised the imprisoned founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, for promoting an “anti-army” narrative. He emphasised that such rhetoric has transcended the political arena and now poses a “national security threat.”
DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference, said, We do not want to become part of politics. He also highlighted respect for all political parties and reaffirmed that the army does not carry the flag of any political party.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry congratulated everyone on the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as Chief of Defence Forces, adding that the Chief of Defence Forces headquarters has become operational.
He said the CDF headquarters will provide briefings on military affairs and discuss the challenges facing national security. The CDF headquarters has already been established.
The DG ISPR warned that some individuals’ personal ambitions and desires exceed the limits of the state of Pakistan, and the narrative being created poses a threat to national security. He stressed the need to end this negative narrative.
He added that one person has become a threat to national security and believes, “If I am not here, nothing exists.” He emphasised that the Pakistan Army works solely for national security and does not represent any political agenda, ethnicity, or political ideology.
He said the uniform is a source of pride and honour, and some individuals are prisoners of their own ego.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that no one will be allowed to create a divide between the people and the Pakistan Army.
He stated that those targeting the leadership of the armed forces cannot be considered well-wishers of the nation.
He said the Constitution allows freedom of expression, but it does not permit irresponsible statements on matters related to national security.
According to the DG ISPR, one individual urged overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances and encouraged people not to pay their electricity bills. Such actions, he described, as harmful to the country’s economic stability.
He said the Pakistan Army has stood firm against a force eight times larger, and some elements now want the military to stop acting as a shield for the nation against external enemies and terrorists. He added that these individuals are aggressively spreading their narrative.
The DG ISPR questioned whether someone attacking their own army and its leadership is trying to make room for an enemy force.
‘False narratives pushed by mentally unstable person’
He said every country has one army, but one person is ignoring the Constitution, the law and established rules while pushing his narrative.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the armed forces have repeatedly made it clear that they are the protectors of Pakistan and are working day and night for the country’s security. He alleged that social media networks in Afghanistan and India amplify a specific anti-army narrative, while organised attacks on the military are being carried out online.
He said trolling accounts based in India and Afghanistan make this narrative go viral within minutes and hours, and a particular Indian group is the biggest facilitator of this campaign. According to him, the Indian media airs interviews of Noreen Niazi against Pakistan, while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s press conference was also broadcast on Indian TV channels.
The DG ISPR said Indian media has become the “voice of PTI” against Pakistan’s armed forces and large sums of money are being spent to push this hostile narrative. He added that Afghan media, which he termed a supporter of extremists, is also promoting the same message.
He referred to a man as a “mentally unstable person” and said that he is constantly attacking Pakistan’s army. Two days ago, this person posted a tweet which was made viral within minutes by Indian and Afghan troll networks. DG ISPR asked sharply, “Who are you to distribute certificates of treason? What do you think of yourself?”
He said those who attacked the GHQ on May 9 were the same people, and those who desecrated the martyrs’ monuments were also from this group. He added that the vandals who set fire to the Pakistan Air Force’s war-winning assets belonged to the same elements. He claimed that these people are inspired by “traitors like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
Also read: DG ISPR congratulates nation on the establishment of CDF Headquarter
