Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday attacked jailed PTI founder Imran Khan for creating and spreading “anti-army” rhetoric, stating that such narratives were now outside the realm of politics and had become a “threat to national security”.
DG ISPR was speaking during a press conference in Rawalpindi. At the beginning of his press conference, he spoke of a “progressive threat to national security” that had become necessary for the military to address.
“Such threat emanates from the delusional mentality of a delusional person who has become captive to his own ego, thinking that his desires are greater than those of the State of Pakistan,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said, in an apparent reference to the PTI’s jailed founder Imran Khan.
“His ego, his desires and frustrations have grown to such a point that he thinks the world would cease to exist without him.”
The ISPR DG added that it would be “a bit strange if it came from me, but the narrative that that person is pushing is no longer about politics, but has become a matter of national security.”
According to Lieutenant General Chaudhry, it was “very important” for the army media to clarify, remove all ambiguities and doubts and say what needed to be said. “We need to understand how this narrative works and, unfortunately, how it works in deep collusion with external actors.”
He continued: “To understand that, first, I will set the stage by repeating something that the armed forces have been saying time and again, that we are the armed forces of Pakistan, we do not represent any ethnicity, we do not represent any language, religious inclination, political thought or school of thought. We have people from all areas of Pakistan, all religions, all sects, all languages and all political opinions, but we put all that aside once we wear this uniform.
“That is our pride, that is our honor; we strive, we die daily, not for any language, area or political point of view. We strive and die daily for the people of Pakistan, for the integrity of Pakistan. And we say that very clearly, and we also do not come from the elite class of Pakistan, we belong to the middle, lower-middle and poor socioeconomic classes; we do not carry the flag of any political actor, class or elitism; these are their armed forces, and we are “It is absolutely clear the character of Pakistan’s armed forces, from a soldier to his field marshal,” he said.
The DG ISPR added that if someone attacks the armed forces and its leaders for the sake of their ego, delusional mentality and narcissistic way of thinking, “then we will also come and fight bare knuckles, there should be no doubt about it,” he said.
“That’s why we ask you again and again that you should make your politics. We respect all political parties and personalities, but please keep your politics away from Pakistan’s armed forces; don’t drag us into it. We don’t want to be a part of your politics. That’s why we need to communicate some things clearly.”
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry then pointed out the ways in which Imran’s rhetoric was harming the military.
“First of all, no one can be allowed to create rifts between the people and the armed forces of Pakistan. Why? Because this is the only armed force we have. We have no choice; this country has no other armed forces. You can have an opinion or observation about the forces, and if that can be a constructive observation or criticism, you are welcome to do so. But that does not allow you to instigate or provoke the people of Pakistan against the army and try to drive a wedge between the two.”
He said that it was the armed forces that stood between the Hindutva mentality in India and its hegemonic design, and the people of Pakistan. “It is these armed forces that stand between the khawarijterrorists, fitna al-khawarij, fitna al-hindustan operating from Afghanistan and the people, and we also know for sure that every country has an army. It is a famous saying that there will always be an army in a country, but if it is not yours, it will be your enemy’s. So, whoever attacks his own army and leadership, is he trying to create space for someone else’s army? What is your design? Why are you trying to do that?
“We are clear, and the people of Pakistan are clear, that this cannot happen, because they understand, we understand, that some people can be fooled all the time,” he said.
Continuing to attack the PTI founder, the DG ISPR said that whenever anyone meets “this person”, he sets aside the law, Constitution and rules and plays the narrative against the State of Pakistan, especially the armed forces of Pakistan and its leaders.
“Tell me, under what laws, rules and Constitution can this be allowed? What policy in Pakistan allows you to go meet a convict, and from there you continuously build a narrative against the armed forces of your own country? What constitutional provision allows this?” Lt Gen Chaudhry questioned, referring to the PTI’s demand to allow them to meet Imran at Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since 2023.
“If you talk about Article 17 of the Constitution and freedom of expression, it clearly says that freedom of expression and political activity are allowed, subject to reasonable restrictions. Under reasonable restrictions, nothing that goes against the security and integrity of the State can be allowed.”
“Article 19 says freedom of expression is allowed, absolutely it is, but such freedom of expression cannot be allowed which is against the security, integrity and defense of Pakistan. Is it written?” [in the Constitution] Or not?” So, under what law, constitution or rules, when you meet a convict, he weaves a narrative against the army and its leadership? This is beyond our understanding.”
Citing a few examples, the DG ISPR recalled how Imran had been “weaving this narrative by trying to stop remittances to Pakistan to make the country default”.
“Then he writes a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), asking it not to enter into any agreement with the country so that the State can default. Then he resorts to civil disobedience, does not pay the electricity bills, so anarchy spreads in the country. Let me give you another example from a few days ago: He (Imran) tells his followers to target the leaders of the army, the army that opposed an economy already an armed force eight times his size during Operation Bunyanum and Marsoos and Marka-i-Haq, and in doing so, earned the respect of the nation.”
He then questioned who would really benefit from such a narrative, adding that anyone living in Pakistan could not have such an agenda against the country.
“That agenda can only come from someone in Delhi. Someone sitting there and guiding him, who wants this army, which is his armor against kharjis and terrorists, sacrificing their lives, stop doing it. “This agenda and narrative cannot come from anywhere else,” he stated.
It is also worth mentioning that while he did not mention Imran’s name during the press conference, he showed a video clip containing Imran’s anti-army tweets to prove his point.
More to follow
