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The Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated that the Afghan Taliban regime is aiding terrorist infiltration, highlighting it as a major threat not just to Pakistan but globally.
DG ISPR engaged in an in-depth conversation with top journalists about national security issues, counter-terrorism strategies, border management challenges, and evolving regional dynamics.
He mentioned that the Afghan Taliban fully supports militants crossing the border, and the absence of an effective administrative setup in border areas is worsening governance problems.
He pointed out that these border zones are controlled by a political-terrorist alliance, worsened by groups like “Khwarij.”
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stressed Pakistan’s stance on the Doha Agreement, urging the Afghan Taliban to cease supporting terrorist groups. He also disclosed that Afghanistan still shelters terrorist networks like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, which are supplied with arms and funds to target Pakistan.
Rising Counter-Terrorism Operations
General Chaudhry underscored the notable rise in counter-terrorism efforts in Pakistan over the past year. He noted that since November 4, 2025, 4,910 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were conducted, resulting in the neutralization of 206 terrorists.
In 2025, a total of 67,023 IBOs took place nationwide. The largest number of operations was in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (12,857) and Balochistan (53,309). In these operations, 1,873 terrorists, including 136 Afghans, were killed.
The DG ISPR spoke about the current challenges in managing the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He highlighted the misleading information being spread against Pakistan’s security forces and clarified that the border areas are complex, characterized by difficult terrain and long distances between border posts.
He emphasized that building an effective border fence requires substantial resources, including surveillance systems and frequent security posts every 2 to 5 kilometers.
Concerns Over Afghan Refugees and Border Security
Regarding Afghan refugees, he confirmed the repatriation of large numbers, with 366,704 returning in 2024 and 971,604 expected in 2025. He also addressed the issue of smuggling, especially diesel smuggling, which has funded terrorist groups like BLA and BYC. He noted a reduction in smuggling from 20.5 million liters per day to 2.7 million liters following the government crackdown.
Social Media Propaganda
Lt Gen Chaudhry talked about the growing influence of foreign-backed social media accounts spreading anti-Pakistan narratives. He revealed these accounts primarily operate from abroad, aiming to incite political unrest in Pakistan.
Response to Indian Military Statements
Regarding recent statements from Indian military officials, General Chaudhry dismissed them as propaganda intended to alleviate public frustration in India. He also warned that any country providing military equipment to the Afghan Taliban would be directly aiding terrorist groups.
The DG ISPR asserted that Pakistan cannot differentiate between good and bad terrorists, emphasizing the country’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.