In a hard-hitting exclusive interview with Al Jazeera TV, Director General ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry strongly accused India of adopting terrorism as a state policy against Pakistan, particularly aiming to destabilize Balochistan.
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif stated that India’s involvement in terrorist activities is not isolated but a well-orchestrated campaign to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty. “India is systematically supporting terrorism in Pakistan under official patronage,” he said.
The DG ISPR’s remarks came in the wake of a deadly bombing in Waziristan last month that killed 16 soldiers and injured over 20 others. The attack was claimed by a militant group referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij (a term used for Taliban militants targeting the state).
He clarified that Khawarij is a term now widely used in military and media circles in Pakistan for armed groups attacking the state and military forces. “This group is a continuation of a misguided ideology that has long targeted Muslims in the name of a deviant belief,” he added.
He further stated that in Islam, only the state has the authority to declare jihad or combat. “No individual, group, or organization has the right to wage war in the name of religion,” he emphasized. “Fitna al-Khawarij has no relation to Islam, humanity, or Pakistani traditions.”
DG ISPR also coined the term Fitna al-Hindustan to describe terrorists backed by India. “These Indian-sponsored militants are particularly active in Balochistan with the sole aim of destabilizing Pakistan,” he noted.
Highlighting India’s role, he said, “India’s political leadership has publicly admitted its involvement in terrorist operations inside Pakistan. The mastermind behind this terror network is Ajit Doval.”
He added that international powers, including the United States and Canada, have also acknowledged India’s state-sponsored terrorism.
Touching on foreign relations, DG ISPR reaffirmed Pakistan’s diplomatic support for Iran amid Israeli aggression. On the issue of national security, he assured that Pakistan’s nuclear program is “completely secure and invincible.”
“Pakistan is a responsible, declared nuclear power. No one can dare to challenge our nuclear capabilities,” he said. “Our nuclear strength reflects our confidence in national defense and regional stability.”
This interview highlights Pakistan’s growing concerns over cross-border terrorism and its firm stance on safeguarding national security against both internal and external threats.
Read more: 7 BLA Militants Killed in Security Operations in Balochistan: ISPR