RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday categorically denied the involvement of armed forces in alleged rigging in 2024 elections, and also voiced no objection on the formation of a Judicial Commission to probe May 9 incidents.
While addressing a news conference in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, the Director General ISPR Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry made it clear that the armed forces had nothing to do with the recent elections, except to provide a secure environment for the polling.
The director general ISPR said that armed forces do not work in the form of allegations and counter allegations. He added that instead of leveling allegations one should present evidence, if any, before the available legal and the constitutional forums of the Country.
Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that military has a robust accountability mechanism and acts promptly on the basis of evidence and facts.
When asked about May 9 incident, he said that it is not the case of Pakistan Army but of the whole Pakistani nation.
The director general ISPR said that they have no objection on the formation of a Judicial Commission for investigation into May 9 incidents. He, however, said that this Commission then should also probe into the objectives of 2014 sit-in and the attacks on the PTV and Parliament.
The ISPR Chief emphasized that those involved in the attacks on military installations and disgrace of martyrs’ memorials should be brought to justice at the earliest in accordance with the law of the land and the constitution. He said that doing so is also important to ensure that the people have faith in the justice system.
Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry maintained that there are irrefutable evidences of the involvement of a particular party in the May 9 events. He said that the narrative based on falsehood cannot sustain.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stressed that it should also be seen as to how the resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were utilized for another onslaught on the Federal Capital.
Responding to a question, the ISPR Chief said that the Constitution of Pakistan clearly states that Pakistan’s integrity, security and defence cannot be undermined in the name of freedom of expression. He said that it also bars from harming Pakistan’s foreign relations with friendly Countries.
Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that freedom of expression does not allow ruining moral values of the society, disturbing public order and tarnishing integrity and dignity of the higher judiciary. He hoped that the Parliament will go for necessary legislation to check lies, propaganda and fake news.
Furthermore, the ISPR Chief disclosed that plot to kill Chinese engineers in Besham was hatched in neighboring Afghanistan.
The ISPR Chief said that the suicide bomber was the Afghan national and the vehicle used in the attack was also prepared in Afghanistan. He said that four other key culprits have been arrested by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
The director general ISPR pointed out that there are 29,000 Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Of them, 2,500 Chinese are engaged with CPEC-related projects and 5,500 others are working on other development projects.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that it is our priority to ensure security of all Chinese nationals and all possible steps are being taken in this regard.
Also, he said the attack on Chinese engineers was aimed at sabotaging Pakistan-China friendship and hurt the CPEC project. He expressed firm commitment to completely dismantle terrorist groups and ensure protection of the people.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that security forces conducted 13,135 intelligence-based operations against terrorists and their facilitators. He said that about 100 hundred operations are carried out on daily basis.
The DG ISPR categorically said nobody will be allowed to disturb law and order situation in the Country. He said that the Army Chief has stated that there is no place for terrorists inside Pakistan.
Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that it is because of sacrifices of the security forces personnel and the people that the Country is fast heading towards peace. He said that those involved in terrorist activities have no links with the state of Pakistan and Islam.
Referring to the situation on the eastern border, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan’s civil and military leadership is fully cognizant of the planning being made in India to divert attention from its internal anarchy.
Alluding to the Indian ceasefire violations, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan Army has responded in a befitting manner and it will continue to do so in future. He said that Pakistan is fully prepared for the defence of its integrity and sovereignty.
The DG ISPR said that Pakistan stands by their Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to them for their right to self-determination.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that India is also involved in extra territorial killings of Sikhs. He said that there are also evidences of the involvement of India in assassination of people inside Pakistan.
Regarding armed forces’ role in the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that they are only facilitating efforts for the uplift of Country’s economy.
To a question, he said that Pakistan has neither given nor it will handover military bases to any Country.
Replying to a question regarding misuse of Afghan Transit Trade, the Major General said that Pakistan does not use trade as leverage for political mileage. He, however, said that illegal spectrum including drug trafficking, smuggling, terrorists’ cross border movement, cannot be allowed in the name of trade.
Answering a question, the ISPR Chief said that the matter of missing persons is a complex issue and the government takes it very seriously. He said that around 80 percent of cases reported before the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances have been resolved and the rest is being pursued vigorously.
 on Tuesday categorically denied the involvement of armed forces in alleged rigging in 2024 elections, and also voiced no objection on the formation of a Judicial Commission to probe May 9 incidents.){kind=link}