In a firm and clear message, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has stated that the Pakistan Army has no interest in engaging with political parties or taking part in political dialogues.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Urdu, the army spokesperson stated that the military operates strictly under the Constitution and only engages with the state of Pakistan — not individual political actors.
"We speak to the state, not to political parties," said Lt Gen Chaudhry. "The army's role is to serve whichever government is constitutionally in power. Our commitment lies with the people, the sovereignty of Pakistan, and regional integrity."
The DG ISPR strongly urged all parties to refrain from dragging the armed forces into political matters, reiterating the military’s apolitical stance. He pointed out that certain elements deliberately spread misinformation about the army to serve political interests.
“There’s a false narrative suggesting that the army doesn’t perform its duties or gets involved in politics,” he noted. “When a national crisis strikes — what we call Ma’rakah-e-Haq — who steps up first? It’s always the army. Our actions speak for themselves.”
Addressing ongoing criticism, he questioned why military leadership is often mentioned during times of political instability. “This question should be directed to politicians who try to make the army controversial. Maybe they are avoiding accountability for their own failures.”
Lt Gen Chaudhry said that the Pakistan Army has always stood by the government and the public in times of need — whether it's protecting polio teams, assisting WAPDA with meter inspections, or even cleaning canals.
“We are the people’s army. We go where the government sends us. Our presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, for instance, is entirely based on instructions from provincial governments,” he added.
The DG ISPR also shed light on a coordinated disinformation campaign by India, particularly in Balochistan. “Indian intelligence agency RAW is operating thousands of fake social media accounts from Europe to spread anti-Pakistan narratives,” he revealed. “These campaigns aim to paint a false picture of disconnect between the people of Balochistan and the Pakistan Army. But those believing in such strategic misconceptions need to clear their minds.”
When asked about the missing persons issue, Lt Gen Chaudhry acknowledged its sensitivity but highlighted that it’s not a problem unique to Pakistan. “The UK, the US, and even India have thousands of missing persons. Pakistan now has a dedicated commission working actively to trace them. The government is fully committed to resolving this issue with transparency.”
Reassuring the public once again, Lt Gen Chaudhry concluded, “Our loyalty lies with the state of Pakistan and its people. The army remains focused on its professional responsibilities, always ready to serve — but never to rule.”
