DND Report
PTI has once again resorted to its worn-out narrative of attacking state institutions as these institutions attempt to expose PTI’s real face to the nation.
This time, the target is the press conference of DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who briefed national media about the threats Pakistan is facing and the role of certain political actors who are collaborating with anti-Pakistan elements. His logical and in-depth press briefing has been described by PTI as a “violation of his oath,” although the oath of Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry requires him to protect the country from external and internal threats. That is exactly what he fulfilled by holding the press conference and informing the nation about the role of (without naming them) PTI in destabilizing Pakistan.
His briefing had a background of events that must be documented to understand the points raised by Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. PTI has become a byword for hate-mongering against Pakistan, state institutions, and the civil and military leadership. Yet the party still operates in Pakistan, despite having been declared defunct under political party laws and no longer being a bona fide political party according to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
In July 2024, the federal government indicated that PTI would be banned, but the decision was shelved when the announcement triggered a debate about whether PTI should be banned and what consequences such a ban would entail. In 2022, 2023, 2024, political facilitation by the higher judiciary encouraged PTI to act aggressively against state institutions but that judiciary is no longer in office.
In September 2025, the Federal Cabinet strongly condemned the publication of derogatory content and inflammatory statements targeting martyrs and the Pakistan Army on social media platforms. The Cabinet paid tribute to the men in uniform who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s peace and security. However, the condemnation did not work, and PTI continued to malign the martyrs without consequence. A systematic hate campaign against the Pakistan Army persists, led by the TTP, Afghan Taliban, and PTI; three actors who now appear to be aligned with one another, with their propaganda amplified by Indian and Afghan media.
“Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had full justification, logic, and reasoning to expose PTI’s poisonous propaganda that is anti-state by all constitutional definitions”
Disturbingly, the recent campaign is being virtually led by PTI’s leadership, particularly the sisters of former prime minister Imran Khan, who is in jail after being convicted in multiple corruption cases. Available data confirms that terror outfits such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade intensify their propaganda on social media whenever PTI initiates a new campaign. Shockingly, PTI’s anti-state rhetoric is echoed by Imran Khan’s sisters, who frequently use hostile platforms such as Indian media and Yalda Hakim’s show. The growing overlap between PTI messaging and terrorist propaganda has raised serious concerns about the state’s leniency toward individuals such as Aleema Khan and her sisters, who openly malign national institutions in their media appearances.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while chairing a Cabinet meeting on September 10, 2025, directed authorities to take strict action against such “evil elements” but these elements are still scot-free.
For years, responsible sections of the media have highlighted how PTI and Imran Khan increasingly target the Pakistan Army, thereby reinforcing the narratives of hostile forces. While civil and military leadership consistently warn that Afghan soil and the Afghan Taliban have become a grave threat to Pakistan’s peace and security, PTI leadership—particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa promotes “brotherhood” with Afghan Taliban and Afghanistan. This rhetoric dangerously ignores the reality that Afghan-based terrorists, including the TTP, have repeatedly targeted Pakistan, spilling the blood of innocent civilians and security personnel. Brotherhood cannot justify providing cover to enemies of the state.
It is now evident that by creating confusion over counter-terror operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI is attempting to undermine Pakistan’s national security. Its repeated calls for dialogue with terrorists directly support the TTP’s agenda. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa understand that the fight against terrorism is not a matter of political point-scoring but one of survival. At this critical juncture, Pakistan needs unity and resolve to combat terrorism especially threats emanating from Afghan soil. Yet instead of supporting national efforts, PTI continues to create doubts and divisions, weakening national resolve.
In 2022, PTI adopted a policy of negotiating with the TTP, even inviting them to resettle in Pakistan and supporting demands for their recognition and an office. Now, after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has suffered the consequences, PTI blames federal agencies for the law-and-order crisis. Due to the PTI government’s misguided decisions, security personnel and civilians are facing a new wave of terrorism. It is also unfortunate that neither PTI chief ministers nor members of the provincial cabinet attend the funerals of martyrs.
It must be remembered that this new wave of terrorism stems primarily from the TTP’s return made possible by PTI’s ill-conceived policy of negotiations with the Khawarij (TTP). Even U.S. and U.N. reports confirm that the increase in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not due to military negligence but due to anarchic plans for resettling terrorists in Pakistan, which boosted their morale and once again endangered Pakistan’s peace.
Given this background, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had full justification, logic, and reasoning to expose PTI’s poisonous propaganda that is anti-state by all constitutional definitions. PTI routinely drags institutions into politics. From Imran Khan to PTI’s social-media infrastructure, over 99% of their content is based on defamation against the Pakistani military, its leadership, and state institutions. If a party continuously spreads rumors, hatred, and incitement against the state, why should the institution not have the constitutional right to present facts and defend itself?
Whenever PTI is confronted with its lies, it immediately cites Article 19 of the Constitution “Freedom of Expression.” But it conveniently forgets that Article 19 clearly states that freedom of expression is subject to state security, public order, morality, and protection against defamation. PTI’s selective reading of Article 19 serves only its own political agenda.
If lies, slander, propaganda, and hatred cross all limits, the Constitution of Pakistan grants institutions the right to respond and also allows legal action against actors that harm state integrity, national unity, and institutional stability.
By every measure, DG ISPR did not violate his oath, nor did he engage in political interference. If there is any violation, deception, hypocrisy, or anti-state conduct, it lies within PTI’s own statements.
