No group or individual, apart from the state, has the authority to declare jihad, DG ISPR

In an exclusive interview with a German magazine on 5th September 2025, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry spoke in detail on several key regional and security issues, ranging from Afghan refugees to Indian-sponsored terrorism and Pakistan’s fight against militancy.

DG ISPR emphasized Pakistan’s four-decade-long role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees, highlighting that “very organized measures” have been taken to ensure their dignified return. He added that Pakistan had extended deadlines for their humanitarian evacuation multiple times, showing a commitment to human rights despite the complex situation.

“Authentic evidence exists that illegal Afghan nationals are involved in terrorism and serious crimes,”
— DG ISPR

Addressing regional stability, DG ISPR stated that the original causes of Afghan displacement — foreign intervention and civil war — no longer exist, thereby justifying the current repatriation efforts.

India’s Growing Extremism Under Fire

Turning to India, the DG ISPR strongly criticized the Indian government’s extremist policies, blaming them for the surge in violent incidents across the country.

“India presents its internal issues as external, and external issues as internal,” he said, adding that
“India is involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan under state sponsorship.”

He revealed that authentic evidence has emerged of Indian military officers’ direct involvement in acts of terrorism within Pakistan. Such evidence, according to him, has been repeatedly shared with the international community, yet global inaction remains a concern.

He also stressed that Indian state institutions, including the army, are now influenced by extremist political ideologies—a trend that poses grave regional threats.

Clear Stance Against Militancy

DG ISPR reiterated Pakistan’s zero-tolerance policy toward non-state actors, affirming that:

“There is no space in Pakistan for any Jeesh or armed groups… No group or individual, apart from the state, has the authority to declare jihad.”

He recalled Pakistan’s pivotal and sacrificial role as a frontline state in the war on terror, asserting that the country had paid a heavy price in blood and resources to ensure regional and global security.

The DG ISPR also voiced concern over the weapons left behind in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal, stating they are now being used by terrorist elements. He noted that even Washington has expressed concern over the issue.

Strategic Alliances & International Recognition

In discussing international relations, DG ISPR praised the constructive and strategic ties between Pakistan and China, and noted former U.S. President Donald Trump’s leadership role during Pak-India tensions, referring to it as “strategic.”

He also acknowledged the U.S. designation of the banned Majid Brigade as a global terrorist organization as a positive development.

In a final remark on internal security, he revealed that several terrorists eliminated in Balochistan under “Fitna-e-Hindustan” were wrongly included in the list of so-called missing persons, shedding light on misinformation campaigns often used to discredit counter-terror operations.