The spokesperson of the armed forces has said that there will be increased interactions and press conferences to dispel what he called an increase in anti-army propaganda and campaign.
This was stated by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in a press conference on Monday.
He started off by claiming that the event was necessary to present the armed forces' point of view on certain important matters. "Recently, there has been an increase in anti-army propaganda, lies, spread of misinformation through an organized campaign in some form or the other," he remarked.
He went on to provide details of recent counter-terrorism operations, saying that this year since January, there have been 22,409 major and minor intelligence-based operations in which 398 terrorists have been killed.
"Daily, there have been more than 112 operations conducted jointly by the police, intel agencies and other relevant authorities, killing 31 high-value targets. This year, 137 army personnel and officers were also martyred," the ISPR chief elaborated.
He also said that now he would be holding regular press conferences because of the growing lies being spread against the armed forces. "The purpose would be to immediately counter the rumours being spread deliberately," he added.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said the problem was that even the most serious issues were politicised, and cited the example of recently announced Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
The operation, he said, was a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism campaign on which the Apex Committee held a meeting and issued a declaration on June 22. It was reiterated in the National Action Plan that a broad policy against would be formed against terrorism and the policy was approved with the consensus of all stakeholders. "The declaration also said that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the government, " Lt Gen Chaudhry recalled.
However, he claimed that a narrative was then created that the operation had been announced and people were once again being displaced. Because of this, he said, the PM House had to issue another declaration. "The issue of national security is also being politicized," he lamented.
The spokesman added that an incorrect comparison was made between Operation Azm-e-Istehkam and past operations, Rah-e-Nijat and Zarb-e-Azb,
One of the goals of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, he claimed, was to break the link between crime and terrorism. "The operation is being made controversial," he added. "The aims and objectives of the operation are the same as those of the National Action Plan."
He further recalled that after the APS Peshawar tragedy, all the stakeholders formulated the National Action Plan, adding that a huge political and illegal mafia stood up against the anti-terrorism operation.
"The political and illegal mafia wants to make Azm-e-Istehkam controversial," he alleged, adding that the army, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies are performing their duties responsibly and conducting 112 operations on a daily basis.
The most terrorist activities are being reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, adding that there was no information on who was running madrassas and who was studying in them. "Is it the army's job to find out the number of madrassas?" he questioned, adding that anti-terrorism courts were created to deal with terrorism.
"There are 13 ATC in KP, nine in Balochistan. Last year, there were 10 convictions in the ATC of Balochistan and 14 in KP," he elaborated, adding that crime and terrorism operated from within the illegal economy.
Lt Gen Chaudhry further said that there were millions of illegal vehicles in Pakistan and millions and billions of rupees were being transacted through non-custom paid vehicles. "Terrorists operate from non-custom paid vehicles as well as through benami properties and accounts," he added.
The ISPR chief said Afghanistan had a visa system with all its neighbouring countries, and asked why only Pakistan's border should be kept soft. "Billions of rupees are used in oil smuggling every day, 50% to 60% of illegal cigarettes are sold, more than 1,000 tonnes of drugs have been seized since September. Reducing such illegal activities will improve the economy," he remarked.
He said the state started a one-document regime in Chaman, but people started protesting and pelting stones at FC personnel, while human rights organizations also appeared. They had only one demand, to let them continue smuggling, he alleged.
“The mafia that earns billions of rupees transfers money out of the county in dollars,” he claimed further.
The military spokesman claimed that the reason being making Operation Azm-e-Istehkam controversial was not ideology but only money. “An attempt was made to make the operation controversial by investing money in the campaign,” he alleged, stressing that the state stands against the terrorism-crime nexus.
He further attempted to clarify that there was no discussion about strengthening ATCs or the Counter-Terrorism Department. “Those who did not accept the writ of the state tried to bring their own version of Shariah and laws. The army has cleared several locations, and now it is the task of the provincial governments to start development,” he emphasized.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said an attempt was made to incite people against the army and create hatred, adding the whole society and the country will prosper by implementing Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
Talking about a recent terrorist attack, he said that on July, terrorists attacked the Bannu cantonment, which the Pakistan Army responded with a strong response and killed all the terrorists.
The next day, he said, the traders in Bannu asked for holding a peace march, which included certain negative elements.
“Around 1,500 to 2,000 people shouted slogans against the state and the army. Armed people were already involved in the peace march. The people in the march demolished a temporary wall and also looted a ration depot.”
“If unarmed people were fired upon, would they have been able to steal sacks of flour and ghee?” he asked, alleging that the casualties occurred due to firing by the armed people. Lt Gen Chaudhry claimed that the army responded as per SOPs and orders.
Explaining the army's SOP, he said that if an 'anarchist group' approaches a military installation, it is first warned and then dealt with. The military spokesperson said that baseless propaganda was done against the Bannu incident.
He asked if armed people join a crowd who was responsible for stopping them. "Peace and order is the responsibility of the provincial government, the administration, but not the army. After the Bannu incident, digital terrorists also mobilized, created a ruckus that the army opened fire on unarmed people," he remarked.
“On May 9, a certain political group, and some hooligans, carried out propaganda that why the army did not stop the protesters of May 9.”
He further remarked that the legal and judicial system adopted leniency towards the facilitators and planners of May 9. “If the perpetrators of May 9 are not brought to justice, chaos will spread further in the country,” he claimed.
The spokesman said the whole nation heard how TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud issued orders to blow up houses and hospitals, asking which religion ordained blowing up schools, colleges, hospitals, and houses. "Noor Wali's call has strengthened our plan for Operation Azm-e-Isthekam."
He further said "digital terrorists" impose their thoughts on people through lies and fake news, adding that sometimes their identities or whereabouts aren't even known. "The target of digital terrorists is the army. Physical terrorists can be eliminated by operations, but digital terrorists have to be stopped by law and monitoring," he stressed.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said "digital terrorists" are made heroes in the name of freedom of opinion. "If digital terrorism is not stopped, it will increase further. "How many people who spread fake news have been proceeded against?" he questioned.
He further said that on the one hand there is a terrorist group in Afghanistan and on the other is India. "An Indian general said that if Pakistan is to be destabilised, then the Pakistani Army must be overthrown. The time has come where the entire nation must unite," he exclaimed.
