ISLAMABAD — The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated on Friday that the state is exercising maximum wisdom and operational restraint in dealing with the recent political unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Speaking at a detailed live press conference at General Headquarters (GHQ), the military spokesperson stressed that the will of the people must be expressed only through constitutional and electoral channels, warning that anyone resorting to violence or mob tactics would be held fully accountable under the law.
Political Rights, Constitutional Obligations, and AJK Restraints
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry addressed the ongoing political tensions surrounding the 12 general seats in AJK, stressing the importance of constitutional compliance and proper public representation.
- Political Supremacy & Electoral Integrity: The DG ISPR reiterated that political leaders and democratic processes must guide the way forward. “The will of the people will be decided by the politicians… Stagnation is not the solution to anything. Even still water begins to stink after a while,” he said, adding that the electoral process will continue uninterrupted to form legitimate assemblies.
- State Monopoly on Legitimate Violence: While acknowledging the state’s generosity in facilitating political participation, he made it clear that it would not bow to mob pressure. “Do remember that only the state has the monopoly on violence and we cannot allow a mob to have its way,” he warned.
- Role of Civil Administration: He clarified that the Pakistan Army is not involved in managing the situation in AJK, stating that administrative and security responsibilities lie entirely with the AJK government, civilian police, and civil armed forces.
- Rebuffing Historical Misinformation: The spokesperson strongly rejected recent online campaigns attempting to discredit Kashmir’s founding leaders, Sardar Ibrahim Khan and Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, or portray the Pakistan Army as an “occupying force.” He noted that over 100,000 Kashmiris serve in the Pakistan Army — including two former Corps Commanders — and recalled that the country’s first Nishan-e-Haider recipient, Captain Sarwar Shaheed, laid down his life for Kashmir’s liberation.
Key Policy Takeaways — DG ISPR Press Briefing
- AJK Situation: Electoral process to continue; local law enforcement handling civil order.
- Counter-Terrorism Momentum: 40,348 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted in 2026; 2,084 terrorists eliminated (around 10 per day).
- Strategic Stance on Kashmir: Reaffirmed as Pakistan’s “jugular vein”; solution lies in UNSC resolutions.
- Administrative Reset: Governance reforms supported if carried out through legal and constitutional means.
National Security Baseline: 40,000+ Operations and Counter-Terror Metrics
The DG ISPR revealed that Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies have conducted 40,348 intelligence-based operations across the country in 2026 — averaging nearly 194 operations daily, with the highest concentration in Balochistan.
Pakistan’s security forces carried out 40,384 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against terrorism over the past five years, neutralizing 2,084 terrorists in the process, according to the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR). He shared these figures… pic.twitter.com/3sxwnUbb2a
— BOL Network (@BOLNETWORK) July 31, 2026
2026 Counter-Terrorism Operational Snapshot:
- Total IBOs Executed: 40,348 nationwide (avg. 194 per day)
- Terrorist Casualties: 2,084 eliminated (avg. 10 per day)
- Total Martyrdoms: 819 (303 Pak Army, 194 LEAs, 322 Civilians)
- Foreign Footprint: Majority of 28 suicide bombings carried out by Afghan nationals
- Contraband Interdictions: Rs4 billion in illegal trade seized; Rs18 billion in narcotics recovered
He highlighted a major shift in operational effectiveness: while casualty ratios once favoured militants in 2023, refined tactics under Operation Shaban and Operation Ghazab Lil Haq have enabled security forces to eliminate more than two terrorists for every soldier martyred in 2025 and 2026.
The Balochistan Landscape
A significant portion of the briefing focused on Balochistan, where Lt Gen Chaudhry examined the structural, external, and administrative factors shaping the province’s security environment.
Dismantling the Feudal-Militant Nexus
He identified entrenched “sardarism” and efforts by certain elites to preserve the status quo as major drivers of instability. Some legacy elites resist education and infrastructure development to maintain feudal control, using militant proxies to pressure the state when their illegal revenue streams — such as fuel and narcotics smuggling — are disrupted.
Hardening the Western Border & Anti-Smuggling Operations
To break the terror-crime nexus, strict border controls have been enforced along the Durand Line, resulting in the repatriation of around 2.6 million undocumented foreigners (including 600,000 in 2026 alone). Authorities have also dismantled a large-scale fuel smuggling network that previously diverted up to 20.5 million litres per day, redirecting resources toward public development.
Balochistan Socio-Economic & Connectivity Matrix:
- Infrastructure: 12 major road highways; N-25 expansion; 52 of 100 planned dams completed
- Public Engagement: 703 open civic forums held; 51% of local grievances resolved on-site
- Education & Health: 10,800 youth receiving IT training annually; 60 new educational facilities opened monthly
Countering Digital Hybrid Warfare
The spokesperson exposed hostile propaganda networks, revealing how over 300 Indian-run websites and 1,000 social media accounts coordinate with regional insurgents — such as “Fitna al-Hindustan” and Afghan Taliban-linked groups — to spread disinformation. He showed how local incidents are deliberately amplified through Telegram and foreign media to create false narratives of state repression.
Governance Imperatives and Constitutional Sovereignty
The DG ISPR’s address outlined a clear approach that balances military action with civilian governance:
- Governance as the Ultimate Security Anchor: By supporting an “administrative reset” and recognising that Pakistan’s population growth (from 65 million in 1972 to 250 million today) demands evolving administrative systems, the military is placing long-term stability responsibility on political institutions. Kinetic operations can create space, but lasting peace requires effective public services, anti-corruption efforts, and local empowerment.
- Rejection of Hard-State Elitism in Favor of Rule of Law: His statement that Pakistan is “not a hard state” was a pointed critique of systemic elitism. A true hard state applies the law equally to all citizens, regardless of status.
- Immutable Posture on Kashmir Deterrence: Linking past conflicts (2019 and May 2025) to current hybrid threats, he underscored that external attempts to destabilise Pakistan stem from India’s inability to change outcomes on the conventional battlefield. Kashmir remains Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” with any solution anchored in UN Security Council resolutions.
