Tuesday, 4 November 2025 | Web Desk

Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has said that the country’s armed forces are the ultimate guarantors of national security and that there is no need to offer such guarantees to Kabul. He questioned how talks could be held with militants who “play football with the heads of our soldiers.”

Addressing senior journalists in Rawalpindi, the Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan has never celebrated the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan.
“Our fight is against terrorist groups including the TTP, BLA, and others,” he said. “Afghanistan’s conditions are meaningless to us — the real objective is the elimination of terrorism.”

No Drone Strikes from Pakistan

Responding to a question on drone strikes, the DG ISPR clarified that Pakistan has no agreement with the United States allowing drone operations from its soil. “No drones fly from Pakistan to Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the Taliban regime had made no official complaint in this regard and that the Ministry of Information had repeatedly clarified this issue.

Terrorism, Drug Trade and TTP Nexus

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif highlighted the nexus between terrorism, narcotics, and criminal networks.
“The TTP functions as an extension of the Afghan Taliban,” he said. “They cultivate opium and earn millions per acre. The proceeds are shared among warlords, the TTP, and the Taliban, funding terrorism, drug trafficking, and smuggling.”

Counterterrorism Operations and Casualties

The military spokesperson revealed that 62,113 counterterrorism operations were conducted across Pakistan in 2025, averaging over 200 operations per day.
He said 1,667 terrorists were killed, while 1,073 people, including 584 soldiers, 133 law enforcement officials, and 356 civilians, embraced martyrdom.
“Among the killed militants were 128 Afghan nationals,” he added. “Our intelligence-based operations continue, and around 200 of our officers and soldiers have been martyred.”

Afghan Border and Taliban’s Role

Lt Gen Sharif said the Pakistan-Afghanistan border stretches over 2,600 kilometers with mountainous terrain, making it impossible to build checkpoints everywhere.
He accused Afghan border guards of facilitating terrorist crossings into Pakistan and firing on Pakistani forces. “The Taliban regime provides safe havens to terrorists,” he said. “We told them clearly that controlling terrorism within Afghanistan is their responsibility.”

He further claimed that the Taliban have begun resettling BLA and TTP militants inside Afghanistan. “If the TTP is our problem, then hand them over to us,” he said. “They think they can escape accountability — but they cannot.”

‘Those Who Love the Taliban Should Move to Afghanistan’

Commenting on political voices advocating talks with the TTP, the DG ISPR said:
“Those who sympathize with the Taliban or advocate negotiations should go and live in Afghanistan — that’s where they belong.”

Army Stays Away from Politics

Lt Gen Sharif reiterated that the Pakistan Army does not interfere in politics.
“The army has nothing to do with political statements or provincial issues,” he said. “We will not compromise on performance, and the army must be kept away from political debates.”

He added that it was the Army Chief’s prerogative to invite or not invite provincial leaders to briefings. “We speak directly and clearly, not like politicians,” he remarked.

PTI’s Moderate Circles Unhappy Over CM’s Statements

India Planning Another False-Flag Operation

The DG ISPR alleged that India was preparing another false-flag operation in the deep sea, warning that any aggression from New Delhi would be met with an even stronger response than before.
“India can act on land, sea, or air — but this time, our reply will be harsher,” he said.

Call for National Unity

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif emphasized that the fight against terrorism cannot be won by the military alone. “Civil administration, political leaders, the clergy, and the media must come together under the National Action Plan,” he said.
He stressed that those providing shelter or support to terrorists would face action:
“Facilitators of terrorists are not victims of collateral damage — they are part of the problem.”