‘We Can Defend and Punish’: DG ISPR

News Desk

Rawalpindi: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said Pakistan has the capability to defend itself and respond to any threats.

In an interview with an Arab television channel, Lt Gen Chaudhry said India’s efforts to expand its military capabilities did not mean Pakistan was engaged in an arms race.

He said Pakistan’s defence capabilities were defensive in nature and that the country had no aggressive intentions toward any state. He added that Pakistan remained confident in its ability to safeguard its national security.

The DG ISPR said Pakistan’s political objectives were determined by its political leadership, stressing that the military and the state did not have separate national goals. He said the country’s aspirations and objectives were the responsibility of its political leadership.

Speaking about Afghanistan, Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistan did not want interference from Afghan territory. He alleged that the Afghan Taliban authorities were providing training and support to militants involved in attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban authorities of allowing militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan territory. The Taliban authorities have rejected the allegations.