Fight against terrorism is 'paramount', cannot be 'sacrificed at altar of anyone’s politics': DG ISPR

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, declared on Thursday that Pakistan's fight against terrorism was "paramount" and "cannot be sacrificed at the altar of anyone’s politics". He addressed a press conference in response to India's claims of neutralising an individual connected to the Pakistan Army in an encounter in the Korag area of Indian-administered Kashmir.

Responding to political leaders in Pakistan advocating for negotiations with the Afghan Taliban over terrorism, Chaudhry acknowledged that different people have different views on how to counter the menace. He stated that discussing these viewpoints is essential and necessary for moving forward with the fight against terrorism.

The military spokesperson emphasized that the fight against terrorism is an "enduring fight" that must be won. He asserted that Pakistan has no other choice but to succeed in this endeavor.

Pakistan has been the "largest victim of terrorism" as it has been battling it for over two decades, resulting in more than 100,000 lives lost and significant economic losses. Moreover, the nation's political and social fabric has suffered severely due to this menace.

Chaudhry recalled that political leadership drafted the National Action Plan (NAP) after the debate surrounding Pakistan's counter-terror fight, revised it, and finally came up with the 'Azm-i-Istehkam' vision. He stressed that these documents were agreed upon and consensual, and it is now up to the political leadership to follow them.

Addressing the question of terrorism in the region and creating confusion in its narrative, Chaudhry asked if this behavior could be considered incompetence, lack of understanding, indifference, or willful collusion. He posed these questions because for Pakistan, politics exists only if the state does, democracy exists if the state does, and individuals exist if the state does.

Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistan's police, intelligence, soldiers, and officers are fighting daily against terrorism on a warfront. He questioned why other stakeholders are not doing the same or standing against it. He asked if these stakeholders are cowards or complicit in the fight against terrorism.

The DG ISPR emphasized that it is up to the people and government of Pakistan to realize the importance of the fight against terrorism and not compromise or sacrifice it at the altar of anyone's politics.