7 key takeaways from DG ISPR Sharif’s  press briefing

News Desk

Islamabad: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Tuesday strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, holding it responsible for the surge in terrorism. 

Speaking at a press briefing in Rawalpindi, the military’s spokesperson accused the PTI-led provincial government of resisting counterterrorism efforts while simultaneously seeking assistance from Afghanistan.

Here are seven takeaways from inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry: 

1: Nearly 71% of all terrorist incidents in 2025 occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with fatalities rising over 40% year-on-year, which the ISPR attributed to a “politically conducive environment” and a political–criminal–terror nexus in the province.

2: The DG ISPR accused the PTI-led KP government of resisting counterterrorism operations, promoting a false narrative, and creating ambiguity by opposing military action while seeking talks and Afghan guarantees.

3: The military reiterated a zero-tolerance policy, rejecting negotiations or distinctions among militant groups, stating that counterterrorism requires firm state action, not political compromise.

4: Afghanistan was described as the main base for regional terrorist organisations, including TTP/Fitna al-Khawarij, with Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban of failing to uphold the Doha Agreement commitments.

5: The ISPR alleged a nexus between India, Afghan soil, and terrorist groups, claiming Indian support to militants, including the provision of armed quadcopters, posing a serious threat to regional peace.

6: Security forces conducted over 75,000 intelligence-based operations, killing 2,597 terrorists, with KP and Balochistan bearing the brunt of attacks and operations. Afghan militants were said to be involved in all major attacks cited.

7: The DG ISPR stressed that the fight against terrorism is a collective national responsibility, warning against narratives that portray it solely as the army’s war, and highlighted misuse of social media in terrorism and criminal activity, calling for stricter enforcement of laws.