Rawalpindi – DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that the guarantors of Pakistan’s security are its armed forces, and there is no need to give this guarantee to Kabul. The Taliban play football with the severed heads of our security personnel — how can there be negotiations with such people?
He said this while briefing senior journalists in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s security is guaranteed by the armed forces, not something to be guaranteed to Kabul
DG ISPR said Pakistan never celebrated the Taliban’s arrival; our fight is against Taliban groups. Operations continue against TTP, BLA, and other organizations. The guarantors of Pakistan’s security are the armed forces — this guarantee is not to be given to Kabul. Afghanistan’s conditions hold no meaning; ending terrorism is what matters.
Drone strikes in Afghanistan do not originate here, no such agreement exists with the U.S.
In response to a question about drones, he said:
“We have no agreement with the U.S. Regarding drones, there has been no formal complaint received from the Taliban regime. No American drones operate from Pakistan. The Ministry of Information has clarified this several times. We have no agreement of any kind allowing drones to fly from Pakistan into Afghanistan.”
Terrorists in Afghanistan fled there from here
He said that the Taliban regime facilitates terrorists. “In Istanbul, we clearly told the Taliban that it is their responsibility to control terrorism, and how they do it is their concern. These were our people — when we carried out operations against terrorism here, they fled to Afghanistan. Hand them over to us and we will deal with them according to our constitution and law.”
Terrorists and TTP cultivate opium and earn money
He said the real issue is the nexus between terrorism, criminal elements, and the TTP. “TTP is an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban; they have pledged allegiance to the Taliban’s Emir. They cultivate opium, earning between 1.8 to 2.5 million rupees per acre. The local population collaborates with them; warlords join them. The profits are shared among Afghan Taliban, TTP, and warlords. Terrorism, hashish, smuggling — all of this they do together to make money.”
On creation of new military posts
“In case a new position or rank is created within the army, that is the government’s prerogative, not ours,” he said.
No operation carried out in Tirah Valley; if we do, we will announce it
DG ISPR said: “We never said the army conducted an operation in Tirah Valley. If we do, we’ll announce it. We have carried out intelligence-based operations in which around 200 of our soldiers and officers were martyred. Convoys carrying supplies to our posts are attacked.”
Governor’s Rule in KP is a government matter
On the question of Governor’s Rule in KP, DG ISPR said: “That is the responsibility of the federal government, not ours. Those who attack mosques and madrassas — we take action against them.”
Ceasefire happened because Afghan Taliban went to friendly countries
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif said: “Our stance at the upcoming Istanbul Conference is crystal clear — there should be no terrorism, no interference, and Afghan soil should not be used for it. The ceasefire agreement happened through our strength — Afghan Taliban had gone to friendly countries.”
Don’t teach us morality
He said: “No one should lecture us on morality. We are not begging anyone with our hands under their armpits. We know how to protect our armed forces and our people.”
Decision on sending troops to Gaza rests with the government and parliament
On a question about sending troops to Gaza, DG ISPR said: “That is not our domain — it’s up to the government. The decision to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza will be made by the government and parliament.”
Afghan border is 2,600 km long — checkpoints can’t be everywhere
DG ISPR said: “The Afghan border is 2,600 km long, including mountains and rivers. Checkposts are established every 25 to 40 km — they can’t be everywhere. Normally, border guards exist on both sides worldwide, but here we have to do it alone. Their guards fire on our forces to facilitate terrorists crossing; we only respond.”
How can there be talks with those who play football with our soldiers’ heads?
The army spokesperson said: “During the Operation Rah-e-Haq, decisions were taken collectively by the government, cabinet, army, and political parties. If KP’s government talks about negotiating with terrorists, that’s not possible — it creates confusion. The Taliban play football with the heads of our security personnel; how can talks happen with such people? Our scholars, media, and politicians must speak with one voice to make collective decisions.”
When asked about changing the Taliban regime, DG ISPR said: “We do not interfere in Afghan affairs.”
We never enter politics nor talk like politicians
DG ISPR said: “We never enter politics nor talk like politicians. We speak directly. The army should be kept away from politics; it does not want to get entangled in it.”
Clarification on missile tests
In response to a question about missile tests, he said: “Every country continues its developmental activities.”
Operations data for the current year
DG ISPR shared details of terrorist incidents and operations in 2025:
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62,113 counterterrorism operations were conducted nationwide — an average of 208 operations per day.
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Most operations were in Balochistan, but casualties were higher in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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4,373 incidents of terrorism occurred this year.
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1,667 terrorists were killed and 1,073 people martyred (including 584 army personnel, 133 law enforcement officials, and 356 civilians).
He added: “In KP, there were 514 incidents of terrorism; 77 terrorists were killed, and 198 people martyred — among them 36 from Army and FC, one policeman, and 12 civilians.”
“These operations are jointly carried out by the Army, Rangers, and intelligence agencies. Among the terrorists killed, 128 were Afghan nationals. We conduct operations to protect the public from the Khawarij; our people are also martyred, while politicians say operations should not be allowed.”
These people want the border open so they can smuggle narcotics
He said: “Operations are more frequent in Balochistan, while more terrorists are being killed in KP. These people work against the army and collect ‘taxes’ in the name of usher — which is actually extortion. They want the border open so they can bring in hashish. In Afghanistan, drug smugglers interfere in politics; their profits are shared by Taliban and warlords. Ice (crystal meth) is reaching our universities and destroying our youth.”
Civil administration and police unable to perform under political pressure in cleared areas
He said: “Political figures, terrorists, and criminals are working together against the law. Many times, the army has cleared areas, but the civil administration and police fail to perform due to political pressure. Smugglers collaborate with Khawarij. The National Action Plan required everyone to work together against terrorism. In 2014 there were 38,000 madrassas — now there are nearly 100,000. Why is this happening?”
Those who talk of talks with Taliban should better move to Afghanistan
DG ISPR said: “In October, Afghanistan launched an unprovoked attack on our post — we responded. They falsely claimed they captured our tank, which was actually Russian. They themselves blew up the Bab-e-Dosti gate and then claimed we did. Those who are in love with Afghanistan should think — what do these people want? Should we talk to those killing our people? For such people, it’s better they move to Afghanistan — that’s the right place for them.”
Afghan Taliban have begun housing BLA and TTP
The Lieutenant General said: “If TTP is our issue, then hand them over to us. We have clearly told mediators that Afghan Taliban are patrons of the Khawarij. The Deputy Governor of Kunar was seen in a video near the border. TTP and TTA are one and the same. The Afghan Taliban regime has begun settling BLA and TTP members inside Afghanistan, thinking they’ll escape us — but they will not.”
Afghanistan has visa agreements with six countries — why not with Pakistan?
The Army spokesperson said: “It’s clear to the world now that terrorism in Pakistan originates from Afghanistan. Afghanistan has a visa regime with six neighboring countries — why don’t they recognize it with us alone? Afghan social media, Afghan politicians, and Indian media are spreading lies. Our defense and information ministers have strongly spoken about the Afghan regime. Their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid is a proven liar — he claimed a Russian tank as Pakistani, talked about ISIS fighters being in Pakistan (which is false), and even circulated a fake AI-generated video of the Russian president that was later denied. They also ran a false report about a Pakistani journalist claiming the army was leaving.”
Afghan Taliban were never our darlings
DG ISPR said: “By 2018, we had broken the terrorists’ backbone, but then someone said to open an office for the Taliban. Do you not remember who said that? We never made anyone our darling — Afghan Taliban were never our darlings. The Pakistani state cannot sit down with non-state actors. In Doha talks, they used to agree with us but then go back on phone calls saying, ‘We can’t sign yet; we have to ask first.’”
Politician–terrorist nexus in Balochistan has decreased
He said: “The nexus between politicians and terrorists in Balochistan has decreased significantly. Earlier, 15 million barrels of Iranian oil entered daily — now 10 million come with permits. Legislation such as amendment to Article 243 is the prerogative of government and parliament.”
Those providing refuge or facilitation to terrorists are not ‘collateral damage’
He said: “In KP, the jirga system is active. We held talks in Bajaur too — we said hand over the terrorists to us, send them to Afghanistan, or let us conduct operations. We are against terrorists; there is no collateral damage. Those who shelter or facilitate terrorists — their loss is not collateral damage.”
Army Chief not summoning KP CM is his own prerogative
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif said: “We will not respond to statements by KP ministers; they are politicians, they run their narratives. We will not compromise on our performance. If the Army Chief didn’t invite KP’s Chief Minister, that’s his prerogative — he can call whomever he wishes. In the Army Chief’s jirga, everyone agreed that the military’s actions are correct.”
Gen (R) Kayani himself asks, ‘Where are the islands?’
Regarding the media, he said: “If the media has freedom, it also has limits. There’s no mother-father freedom anywhere in the world. Check PEMRA’s record of media licenses — everything is written. People once claimed Gen (R) Kayani had islands in Australia; he himself asks, ‘Where are the islands?’”
Taliban have held no elections nor convened a Loya Jirga
The army spokesperson said: “The 1997 Taliban blew up the Bamiyan statues; today’s Taliban hold press conferences beneath those same statues. Nothing remains permanent forever. We have always shown goodwill to Afghans; we stand with the people of Afghanistan. The Taliban have neither held elections nor convened a Loya Jirga.”
India preparing another false-flag operation in deep sea
Regarding India, DG ISPR said:
“India is preparing another false-flag operation in deep sea. Whatever India plans to do — on land, in sea, or in air — it should know that this time, the response will be even harsher than before.”
