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DG ISPR’s Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry criticized the imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, labeling him a “threat to national security” and cautioning against allowing anyone to agitate the public against the armed forces.
He mentioned that Khan’s “anti-army” rhetoric has surpassed political limits, now posing a direct threat to the nation’s security.
Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR described a “creeping national security threat” that the military has deemed necessary to confront.
“Who are you? What message do you want to give? Who do you think you are?” quipped DG ISPR addressing Imran.
He described Imran as a “sick-minded person” and maintained “They [PTI] have a comical obsession with the Pakistan Army. They don’t talk about real issues, and that is their entire politics.”
“We cannot allow them to establish the business of fake news and lies in the country,” insisted Gen Chaudhry, adding that a dangerous narrative is being propagated. “This narrative that the military is the state is false. The military is not the state; the government is supreme.”
DG ISPR highlighted the strategic role of Pakistan’s armed forces in protecting the country from external and internal threats, stressing that attacking the military undermines national security. He said, “It is the armed forces that are standing between the Hindutva mindset in India and their hegemonic design, and the people of Pakistan. It is these armed forces that are standing between the khawarij, terrorists, Fitna al-Khawarij, Fiitna al-Hindustan operating from Afghanistan and the people.”
The state uses Fitna al-Khawarij” as a term for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while “Fitna al-Hindustan” refers to Indian-backed extremist proxies.
He further added, “Every country has an army. It is a famous saying that there will always be an army in a country, but if it is not yours, it will be your enemy’s. So, the one who attacks their own army and its leadership, is he trying to create space for someone else’s army? What is his design? Why is he trying to do that?”
Continuing his criticism of PTI founder Imran Khan, DG ISPR said that whenever people meet him, he sets aside the law, Constitution, and rules to push a narrative against Pakistan, particularly targeting the armed forces and its leadership.
The DG ISPR stressed that it is for the government, not the military, to decide whether to restrict meetings at Adiala Jail or take action regarding Imran Khan’s social media accounts. He insisted that “they cannot create differences between the Army and the people of Pakistan.”
“Under which law, rules, or constitutional provision can this be allowed? Which politics in Pakistan permits meeting a convict while using it to build a continuous narrative against the country’s armed forces? Which constitutional provision allows this?” Lt Gen Chaudhry asked, referring to PTI’s demand to meet Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since 2023.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry mentioned the importance of the military’s media wing addressing misinformation, clearing doubts, and explaining the role of the armed forces. He said, “We need to understand the spread of this narrative and its amplification in collaboration with external actors.
He highlighted that the Pakistan Army does not represent a specific ethnicity, language, religion, sect, political ideology, or elite. “We come from all backgrounds, faiths, and political beliefs, but we set these aside when we wear the uniform. We serve and sacrifice for Pakistan and its integrity. These are your armed forces, and we are certain of our character and duty,” he stated.
Addressing social media and dissent regulation, DG ISPR mentioned, “Article 17 of the Constitution allows freedom of expression and political activity, with reasonable restrictions. Nothing going against the state’s security and integrity can be allowed.
He added, “Article 19 permits freedom of expression, but it must not harm Pakistan’s security, integrity, or defense. Is this not stated in the Constitution? Under which law can meeting a convict to create a narrative against the army and its leadership be allowed?”
He also replied to a journalist’s question on the May 9 cases, noting they are being addressed in civil courts and the military isn’t involved in commenting. “If you want answers, direct your questions to Azam Nadeem Tarar or the relevant authority,” he stated.