Rawalpindi: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented a detailed position on various issues, including India’s recent claims, the situation in occupied Kashmir, Pakistan’s policy against terrorism, national security and Pak-Saudi defence cooperation, in a major press conference on October 1.
The main topic of the press conference was India’s claim to have allegedly killed Muhammad Asif alias Hashim Musa during an operation in occupied Kashmir.
Muhammad Asif presented to the media
The DG ISPR presented former SSG Havaldar Muhammad Asif before journalists and said that the person whom the Indian authorities have claimed to have killed is not Muhammad Asif but a former soldier present in Pakistan.
Muhammad Asif said that he retired from the Pakistan Army in 2023 and was associated with a private security company after that. According to him, he is present in Rawalpindi with his family and was surprised to see the news of his death in the Indian media.
Muhammad Asif also confirmed his presence at the press conference and said that he is alive and living in his native Attock district.
Timeline of India’s claim
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry also presented a timeline of the Indian claim. According to him, on the night of September 29, the Indian Chinar Corps reported an operation on social media in the Coorg-Yusmarg area of occupied Kashmir.
Later, Indian sources identified the person killed in the operation as Muhammad Asif, alias Hashim Musa. After this, more details about the person were released by the Indian media and government agencies.
DG ISPR raised the question of how a person who has been killed after being declared a terrorist was identified as a former Pakistani soldier who is alive in Pakistan.
Pakistan rejects Indian operation
DG ISPR called the Indian operation an alleged false flag operation against Pakistan. He said that no incident should be used to level terrorism charges against Pakistan and verifiable evidence should be presented along with the allegations.
He said that if India has evidence of any terrorist incident related to Pakistan, it should be presented at the appropriate forum.
According to Radio Pakistan, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan is ready to respond to any aggression and will not accept such narratives that are used to defame Pakistan.
There will be no compromise on the war on terror
Pakistan’s internal security and counter-terrorism operations were also discussed in the press conference.
The DG ISPR said that the war on terror is the state’s primary priority and cannot be sacrificed for political matters.
He said that Pakistan has been facing terrorism for the last two decades and the country has made great sacrifices in this war.
According to him, the state will continue to take necessary steps to protect citizens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Position on BLA and TTP
The DG ISPR also spoke about the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the banned Balochistan Liberation Army.
He termed both the organisations as a security threat to Pakistan and said that the state will continue to take action against them to protect its citizens.
He also claimed the alleged support of both the groups by the Afghan The main points of DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry’s October 1 press conference and Pakistan’s position have come to light.Taliban; however, the Afghan government’s stance on this issue is also important in this dispute.
Situation in Occupied Kashmir
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry also criticised the Indian security policy in Occupied Kashmir.
He said that looking at the Kashmir issue only from the angle of security or terrorism does not present a complete picture of the situation. He accused the Indian government of strict security measures in Occupied Kashmir.
According to the DG ISPR, the Indian narrative regarding Kashmir makes allegations against Pakistan, while Pakistan rejects these allegations.
Warns India of a strong response
On the question of any future action by India, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan is fully prepared for its security.
He said that Pakistan will not compromise on the protection of its borders and national security, and any aggression will be responded to.
Pak-Saudi defence cooperation
A question was also asked in the press conference regarding the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia.
The DG ISPR said that Pakistan is determined to implement this agreement. According to him, Pakistan’s commitment to the defence of the Two Holy Mosques and the security of Saudi Arabia is clear.
He said that Pakistan, under its constitutional responsibilities, abides by the state orders and will take necessary steps in matters related to national security.
Pakistan Army and Politics
A question was also asked in the press conference regarding the founder of PTI.
The DG ISPR said that the Pakistan Army has nothing to do with politics. He stressed the need to keep the war against terrorism separate from political differences.
He said that the security of the state is of fundamental importance and the action against terrorism cannot be made conditional on any political interest.
Pakistan’s stance on national security
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Pakistan’s armed forces are subject to the constitution and carry out their responsibilities in accordance with state orders.
He made it clear that there will be no compromise on the security, sovereignty and protection of the country’s territorial boundaries.
The press conference presented the tension with India, the situation in occupied Kashmir, the counter-terrorism operation and Pakistan’s defence preparedness as interlinked security issues.
The October 1 press conference focused on the case of Muhammad Asif. Indian authorities identified the person killed in an operation as Muhammad Asif, alias Hashim Musa, while Pakistan presented a former SSG Havaldar of the same name to the media.
This situation has created a fundamental contradiction between the statements of the two countries. India’s claim regarding the operation and the identity of the deceased is valid, while Pakistan maintains that the person whom Indian authorities have described as a former Pakistani soldier and declared dead is alive in Pakistan. India is yet to provide an immediate explanation on this claim.
In the press conference, the DG ISPR linked the issue to the narrative allegedly prepared against Pakistan and said that Pakistan is ready to protect its security.
Thus, the press conference also revealed India’s claim about the recent Kashmir operation, as well as its stance on terrorism, national security, Pak-Saudi defence cooperation, the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
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