Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry Press Conference Today: DG ISPR Rules Out Talks With Terrorists

Balochistan – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry press conference today put Pakistan’s security policy back in the spotlight. Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of ISPR, made it clear that the state has no plans to sit down with terrorist groups. Instead, he said, the military wants to reach out directly to the people of Balochistan.

He pointed out that some powerful figures and tribal chiefs in the province seem uneasy about poor families moving forward. This, he said, plays a role in the tension seen in the region today.

During the briefing, he shared a strong message. “We will not talk to you; we will talk to the people of Balochistan,” he stated firmly. His words carried a clear line between the state and armed groups operating in the area.

Is Pakistan a Hard State?

The DG ISPR also touched on a common question. He asked whether Pakistan could be called a hard state. His answer was simple. He said a country only earns that label when law and the constitution apply equally to every citizen, not when the army takes charge of daily affairs.

He stressed that many false stories are spreading about the ground reality in Balochistan. According to him, this negative messaging is part of a larger campaign meant to weaken public trust in state institutions.

Missing Persons Issue Explained

One major part of the talk focused on missing persons. He shared that the related commission has received 201 applications so far. He raised concerns about how these lists are built, noting that some names belong to people who died during anti-terror missions. Others, he added, were actually found present in militant hideouts.

He also mentioned that public claims about missing persons vary widely, ranging anywhere from ten thousand to twenty thousand cases. This gap, he explained, adds confusion to an already sensitive topic.

Challenges in Balochistan

Talking about the province itself, the general explained that its wide land and tough terrain make security work harder. With a population close to 14.89 million, spread across huge distances, forces often patrol long stretches between posts.

He said certain groups take advantage of this space. Some are linked to terrorism, robbery, drug trade, and fuel smuggling across borders. He described the local population as the true stakeholders of Balochistan’s future.

Operations Against Terrorism This Year

Sharing numbers from this year, he said forces carried out 40,348 operations. Around 2,084 confirmed terrorists were killed, averaging close to ten militants removed from the field every day.

Sadly, the cost was high on the state’s side too. He confirmed 819 people lost their lives this year, including 303 army soldiers, 194 law enforcement members, and 322 civilians.

He also noted 28 suicide attacks took place across the country. Recent ones in Tank and Karachi, he said, were linked to Afghan nationals.

Ending his message on a firm note, the general said there is no room left for negotiation with armed groups. “Either you surrender, or we will fight you,” he said, closing the press briefing with a direct warning to militant networks.