Islamabad: Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, while holding an important press conference at the Peshawar Corps Headquarters, presented details regarding the current security situation of the country, counter-terrorism operations and the return of Afghan refugees.
He said that so far this year, 10,115 intelligence-based operations have been conducted across the country in which 917 terrorists were killed, while 516 people were martyred, including 132 civilians and 311 security personnel. He said that there is a nexus of political and criminal elements behind the increase in terrorist incidents, which needs to be broken.
The DG ISPR clarified that the time has come to take the National Action Plan (NAP) beyond mere paperwork, and the state is committed to the complete eradication of terrorism at all levels. He said that if the terrorists or their facilitators do not cooperate, the state institutions will take strict action.
Speaking on the issue of Afghan refugees, General Ahmed Sharif said that Pakistan has hosted its Afghan brothers for decades, but now the situation has changed and this issue should not be a subject of political sloganeering. He made it clear that Pakistan will take every necessary step to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
He said that if any external factor affects Pakistan’s security, then whatever action is necessary will be taken. He stressed that the existence of terrorism in the country is now intolerable, and the nation, army and government will work together to eradicate this scourge once and for all.
