Pakistan Army has reiterated its firm stance of non-involvement in political affairs, urging all political parties to avoid dragging the army into partisan conflicts. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated clearly: “The army has no interest in engaging with political parties. Politics is the responsibility of elected politicians.”
He emphasized that the armed forces operate strictly under the instructions of the sitting federal or provincial governments, irrespective of which political party is in power. “Whoever forms the government represents the state, and we act in line with that authority,” he added.
General Chaudhry criticised what he called “baseless rumours” and propaganda aimed at portraying the military as politically motivated. He asserted that such narratives are part of a broader misinformation campaign, especially during times of political tension. “Our focus is professional duty, defending Pakistan’s sovereignty, protecting its people, and supporting the state,” he said.
Turning to the situation in Balochistan, the DG ISPR rejected claims of disconnection between the province and the national mainstream, labeling such claims as false and driven by foreign propaganda, particularly from India. “Balochistan is an inseparable part of Pakistan, a crown jewel. The people of Balochistan stand with the armed forces,” he stated.
On the issue of governance and civil rights, General Chaudhry noted that the Pakistan Army supports the civilian government’s efforts to address grievances, including those related to missing persons. He made it clear that no institution has the right to illegally detain or disappear citizens, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to justice. “A fully empowered and independent commission is working on missing persons cases. The government is actively tracing every single individual,” he said.
He also called for much-needed judicial reforms to enhance the efficiency and credibility of the legal process in Pakistan, emphasising that protecting the life and liberty of every citizen remains the state’s top priority.
