Pakistan has reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to eradicate terrorism through decisive and comprehensive measures, declaring that the threat will be defeated through full national power rather than negotiations. The commitment was underscored during a press briefing by the Director General Inter‑Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who described terrorism as the gravest and most complex challenge confronting the country today.
According to the DG ISPR, approximately 80 percent of terrorist incidents in Pakistan are currently concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a deeply concerning reality that reflects years of policy missteps, political appeasement, and the provision of a permissive environment for extremist elements. He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, already the province most affected by terrorism, continues to suffer immense human and economic losses due to suicide bombings, targeted killings, and large‑scale militant attacks.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasized that terrorism is not a spontaneous phenomenon but one that thrives on facilitation, ideological justification, silence, and political leniency. “When state‑hostile elements are tolerated or treated with softness by political actors, religious figures, or influential local groups, the writ of the state is undermined, and terrorism becomes inevitable,” he stated.
A major focus of the press briefing was the role of Afghanistan as a hub for multiple terrorist organizations, including Al‑Qaeda, ISIS, Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and various transnational criminal groups. The DG ISPR pointed out that despite claims by the Afghan interim government of full territorial control, the free operation of these groups raises serious questions about governance and intent.
He further warned of a dangerous ideological narrative emerging from Afghanistan, where violence is glorified as resistance and terrorism is misrepresented as jihad. This narrative has fueled extremist thinking across the region, particularly among youth, promoting armed struggle over constitutional and political processes.
The DG ISPR also highlighted the existence of a “war economy” in Afghanistan, where instability and violence are monetized through smuggling, narcotics trade, weapons trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, and human trafficking. Terrorism, he stressed, has evolved into a profitable enterprise, necessitating decisive action not only against militants but also against their financial networks, facilitators, and sponsors.
Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding position, the DG ISPR stated that India continues to sponsor and facilitate terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and other sensitive regions, often in coordination with elements operating from Afghan territory. He noted that Pakistan has consistently presented evidence, including intelligence reports and confessions of apprehended terrorists, to substantiate these claims.
He cautioned that regional collusion between hostile actors poses a serious threat to peace and stability. “If India and Afghanistan choose confrontation, Pakistan is fully prepared to respond and defend every inch of its territory and every one of its citizens,” he asserted.
While highlighting external threats, the DG ISPR stressed that foreign conspiracies succeed only when internal weaknesses exist. He expressed concern over domestic elements that glorify terrorists, create ambiguity around extremism, or reduce terrorism to a political slogan. Such narratives, he warned, amount to indirect facilitation of terrorism.
He also noted that certain influential segments of society deliberately link terrorism solely to economic hardship, political instability, or governance issues, creating confusion and weakening national resolve. Persistent insecurity and violence, he added, exacerbate public anxiety and undermine social cohesion.
The press briefing underscored that counterterrorism cannot be limited to kinetic or security measures alone. Educational reform, including the integration of counter‑extremism narratives into curricula, was identified as a strategic necessity. Long‑term success, the DG ISPR said, depends on redefining education as a pillar of national security rather than a mere administrative concern.
He also highlighted the critical role of religious leadership, urging scholars and clerics to unequivocally denounce violence, armed rebellion against the state, and the killing of innocent civilians as fundamentally un‑Islamic. Silence or ambiguity from religious quarters, he warned, only benefits extremist forces.
Economic deprivation was also identified as a contributing factor. Poverty, unemployment, and social injustice create vulnerabilities that extremist groups exploit by offering financial incentives, identity, and a false sense of purpose. Addressing these root causes is essential to preventing radicalization, particularly among youth.
The judicial system was emphasized as another key pillar. Swift, transparent, and effective adjudication of terrorism cases is vital to maintaining public trust. The release of terrorists due to weak investigations or procedural delays not only undermines the sacrifices of security forces but emboldens militant networks.
The DG ISPR described the press briefing as a mirror for the nation, reflecting both Pakistan’s weaknesses and its strengths. While internal divisions and policy inconsistencies remain challenges, Pakistan possesses resilient citizens, professional security forces, and a clear state commitment to defeating terrorism.
“Pakistan is a living, dynamic, and dignified state,” he concluded. “It will not be held hostage by terrorism, extremism, or external conspiracies. This war is difficult, but it is not impossible provided the nation moves forward in unity and with unwavering resolve.”
