The spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has clarified that the military has no interest in taking innocent lives under the pretext of counter-terrorism operations.
Speaking during a special interactive session with students, including those from Balochistan, the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) addressed concerns and answered questions raised by young participants.
“It is often falsely implanted in our minds that there is resentment between the people of Balochistan and Pakistan. The reality is quite the opposite, the people of Balochistan clearly understand their bond with Pakistan,” said Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif.
He paid tribute to Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar Shaheed, calling him “a brilliant officer and a son of the soil.” He noted that Major Kakar had previously neutralized several terrorists during the Gwadar attack, and laid down his life defending the nation.
“Every day, soldiers, officers, and civilians are sacrificing their lives to keep Pakistan free,” he said.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif emphasized that military operations only succeed when the public identifies terrorists themselves.
“The army does not clear an area unilaterally. If we conduct an operation and then leave, the terrorists might return. That’s why intelligence-based operations (IBOs) are necessary. We must act with wisdom.”
He stressed that the military’s goal is not to harm civilians:
“We have no interest in taking innocent lives in the name of fighting terrorism.”
He warned, however, that those who harbour terrorists or store explosives in their homes will face consequences, but the actions of one individual should not be used to punish an entire village or community.
Highlighting success stories from Balochistan, the Army spokesperson mentioned notable figures like Dr. Samad Yar Jang, a renowned scientist and Cambridge alumnus from Buleda School, and Shahzeb Rind, who hails from Balochistan and has carved his own path.
He also pointed out that many young women from the province are now serving as Deputy Commissioners, and hundreds of educated Baloch youth are becoming owners of their future.
Touching on the ideological foundation of the country, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said:
“Pakistan was created on the basis of ‘the Kalima’, not ethnicity or language. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that no Arab is superior to a non-Arab, and no white to a black, or black to a white.”
He also clarified demographic misconceptions:
“Not all of Balochistan is Baloch. Over 30% of the population is Pashtun. In fact, more Baloch tribes live in Sindh and South Punjab than in Balochistan itself.”
“Pakistan means La ilaha illallah, and that ideology lives within you,” he concluded.
