In one of the year’s most forceful briefings, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday criticized what he described as “coordinated anti-army narratives,” warning that such campaigns pose a direct threat to national security.
Addressing a nationally televised press conference, the military spokesperson accused a “specific political figure” of promoting divisive rhetoric aimed at undermining public trust in state institutions. Though he did not name the individual, the remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to former prime minister Imran Khan.
Lt Gen Chaudhry reaffirmed that the Pakistan Army “represents no political ideology,” dismissing suggestions of institutional involvement in political maneuvering. He stressed that maligning the army or politicizing national security issues “goes beyond political competition and enters the domain of national sabotage.”
The DG ISPR also confirmed that the newly created Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) headquarters, led by Field Marshal Asim Munir, is now fully operational. He described the establishment of the CDF as a “long-awaited and essential reform” to enhance Pakistan’s preparedness for modern multidomain warfare.
On counterterrorism, he rejected calls for negotiations with militant groups, saying the state “cannot sub-let its security” through appeasement. He reiterated that operations against extremist elements would continue with “full resolve.”
The press conference marks a significant moment in the ongoing tension between the military and opposition leaders, signaling a firmer public stance by the armed forces against what they view as destabilizing political narratives.
