DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif: Pakistan Prioritizes Eradication of Terrorism Over Afghan Taliban’s Conditions
Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has stated that the conditions set by Afghan Taliban hold no significance, emphasizing that Pakistan’s primary focus remains the elimination of terrorism in all its forms.
During a closed-door briefing with senior journalists from select media outlets on Monday, Lt Gen Chaudhry clarified that Pakistan’s security is guaranteed by its armed forces, not by any external party.
“The conditions set by Afghan Taliban hold no significance. The important thing is the eradication of terrorism,” he asserted.
No Talks with Terrorists, Says DG ISPR
Lt Gen Chaudhry firmly stated that there will be no negotiations with terrorist organizations, reaffirming Pakistan’s stance against groups such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
He disclosed that counter-terrorism operations are ongoing, and many terrorists who fled have taken refuge in Afghanistan.
“In Istanbul, the Afghan Taliban were clearly told that they need to control terrorism. How they do it is their job,” he said.
“We conducted a counter-terrorism operation, and the terrorists fled to Afghanistan. Hand them over — we’ll deal with them according to the Constitution and the law.”
Evidence of Afghan Involvement in Terrorism
Senior journalist Hamid Mir, who attended the briefing, told Geo News that journalists were shown evidence of Afghan Taliban soldiers involved in terrorist activities inside Pakistan.
“We were presented with the same evidence shared with the Afghan Taliban in Doha,” Mir reported. “These soldiers had Afghan and Afghan Army identification cards.”
Drug Smuggling and Terrorist Funding
Highlighting the nexus between criminal networks and terrorist groups, Lt Gen Chaudhry said terrorist outfits fund their operations through the cultivation and smuggling of opium.
“Through opium cultivation, terrorists make between Rs1.8 and Rs2.5 million per acre,” he revealed.
“The entire population, including warlords, joins in — they all work together.”
He also warned that Afghan drug smugglers are actively interfering in Afghan politics and smuggling narcotics into Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Message to Kabul
Lt Gen Chaudhry reiterated that Islamabad has never celebrated the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan. He added that Pakistan gave the Afghan Taliban a befitting response, which “yielded the results we wanted.”
The DG ISPR stressed that Pakistan’s position is clear — the elimination of terrorism is the only path forward, and Afghanistan must ensure its soil is not used against Pakistan.
