RAWALPINDI – Major General Babar Iftikhar, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), dismissed rumours of a deal with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) self-exiled leader Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday, saying that if anyone is talking about a deal, they should ask who is doing it and what evidence there is of such a deal.
LOC Situation
The DG told a press conference in Rawalpindi that the people living along the Line of Control (LoC) breathed a sigh of relief after the February 2021 agreement with India. He added that the area “remained peaceful throughout the year,” bringing positive change to the lives of the locals.
According to the DG, on the LoC, India spread false information about infiltration and staged a phoney encounter in Keran Valley, blaming Pakistan. They recently staged a bogus encounter in Keran sector’s Neelum Valley, killing an innocent Kashmiri and then blaming us. In this case, the Indian media published images of a terrorist named Shabbir. He is not only alive, but also at home in Sharda, he confirmed.
Occupied Kashmir under worst siege since August 2019
In reference to the Kashmir dispute, Major General Babar Iftikhar stated that the valley has been under siege since August 2019 and that Indian forces are killing innocent people. We pay rich tribute to Kashmiris’ struggle for Right to Self-Determination and pledge to stand with them at every level, he added.
He claimed that India has already attempted to externalise Kashmir’s indigenous freedom struggle, and that India is enacting “systematic demographic changes” in the occupied valley.
He described false allegations levelled by Indian authorities as a political ploy to divert international attention away from atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), adding that India is internally confronted with the challenge of religious extremism.
Pak-Afghan ties
Concerning Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the DG stated that both countries enjoy strong harmony and brotherhood. He also expressed concern that the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan would exacerbate a severe humanitarian crisis.
According to the DG ISPR, the Pak-Afghan border fencing is 94 percent complete. “We are completely focused, and under the Western Border Management Regime, the work that is currently underway will be completed in a reasonable amount of time,” he assured.
Propaganda against institutions failed
The DG ISPR revealed a campaign against a national institution, describing it as an attempt to undermine public trust. “We are aware of these efforts and their various interconnections,” he stated.
“Those who spread half-truths, fake news, and false propaganda to target institutions and harm the country have failed and will fail,” said Major General Babar Iftikhar.
Ceasefire with TTP ended on Dec 9
The DG stated that while talks with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are on hold, operations continue. The cease-fire came to an end on December 9. According to him, the ceasefire was implemented as a confidence-building measure ahead of talks with these violent non-state actors at the request of the current Afghan government.
The talks with the banned group were held at the request of the new Afghan government. The Afghan government was required to ensure that the TTP did not use their territory against us. According to him, Afghan authorities stated that they would bring the TTP to the table and force them to accept Pakistan’s demands.
Security forces’ performance
Major General Babar Iftikhar, speaking about Pakistan’s current security situation, stated that the country’s security forces have uncovered all terrorist organisations working to undermine national peace. He stated that normalcy has been restored to the areas where the army had conducted operations.
He stated that intelligence agencies issued 890 threat alerts, with 70% of incidents averted as a result. According to him, the Pakistan Army launched a successful operation in North Waziristan in 2021.
248 troops were martyred in 2021. We salute them, as well as their families. Over 100,000 rounds of ammunition were also seized. According to him, an operation against terrorists was launched under the National Action Plan (NAP).
Development projects
The DG ISPR stated that 199 new projects have been launched in Balochistan in reference to ongoing development projects. In 2021, tribal districts will have hospitals, markets, and educational institutions, he said.
“We ensure smooth working on country’s progress despite challenges,” the DG asserted, “as foolproof security is provided for all projects.”
He stated that 70 percent of the border fencing between Pakistan and Iran has been completed. The fence will protect the people on both sides of the border. Several soldiers from the armed forces have made sacrifices in this cause, he added.