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Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday said Pakistan’s security depends on effective governance, stressing that terrorists must either surrender under the Constitution and the law or face continued military action. Speaking at a media briefing in Rawalpindi, the military spokesperson said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks about the country’s governance system reflected his personal opinion and declined to comment further. However, he emphasized that good governance remained essential for ensuring national security and long-term stability. The DG ISPR said the National Action Plan continued to enjoy consensus among all major political parties and noted that most of its objectives, including countering extremism, disrupting terror financing and strengthening institutions, relied on strong governance. He added that Pakistan’s growing population made administrative efficiency more important than ever and said citizens had the right to effective governance. Over 40,000 Counterterrorism Operations Conducted Providing an update on security operations, Lt Gen Chaudhry said security forces had carried out 40,348 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan so far in 2026. He said 2,084 confirmed terrorists had been killed during these operations, averaging nearly 194 operations and 10 militant deaths every day. He added that the highest number of operations had been conducted in Balochistan, while 1,971 operations were carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the military spokesperson, 819 people, including security personnel and civilians, embraced martyrdom during counterterrorism efforts this year, while 28 suicide attacks were recorded nationwide. He also alleged that Afghan nationals were involved in recent terrorist attacks in Tank and Karachi. No Negotiations With Armed Militants The DG ISPR made it clear that there would be no negotiations with armed militant groups. He said militants had only two options: surrender under the Constitution and the law or face continued action by security forces. Explaining the concept of a “hard state,” he said it did not refer to military rule but rather to a country where every individual is equal before the law and all matters are resolved through constitutional and legal mechanisms. Balochistan Facing Coordinated Propaganda Addressing the security situation in Balochistan, Lt Gen Chaudhry said a deliberate campaign was underway to create a false perception that the province was in crisis. He said the Constitution required every citizen to remain loyal to the state and argued that rights should always be accompanied by responsibilities. The DG ISPR alleged that certain elite groups and tribal leaders opposed social progress because they wanted to preserve the existing power structure. He said the state would continue engaging directly with the people of Balochistan instead of those seeking to obstruct development. Highlighting development initiatives, he said Gwadar now had modern healthcare facilities, educational institutions, industrial free zones and major infrastructure projects. He added that Balochistan’s per capita budget allocation exceeded Rs75,000, making it the highest among Pakistan’s provinces. He also said terrorists deliberately targeted labourers, teachers and development projects to slow the province’s progress. Missing Persons and Regional Security On the issue of missing persons, the military spokesperson said the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances had received 10,901 cases, of which 9,372 had already been resolved. He stressed that every reported case required proper identification and verification. The DG ISPR further claimed that following what he described as Pakistan’s success during Operation Marka-e-Haq, hostile elements had shifted their focus toward destabilising Balochistan. He alleged that India and the Afghan Taliban regime shared an agenda of supporting terrorism against Pakistan.

The father of murdered Karachi resident Mir Raza Ali Khan has revealed that his son was eagerly preparing for his wedding, which was scheduled to take place on August 30, describing the tragedy as devastating for the family. Speaking to the media, the grieving father said Mir Raza left home on the morning of July 28 for work but never returned. When repeated attempts to contact him failed because his phone was switched off, the family filed a missing person’s report at the local police station the same day. He said the family later traced his last known location through an online ride-hailing service. Upon reaching the location, they found police officials from Gulistan-e-Jauhar already present. According to the father, police informed the family that an unidentified body had been recovered earlier that morning. Although the victim’s face was unrecognizable, the clothes matched those worn by his son, confirming his identity. The bereaved father said Mir Raza had never shared any concerns about business disputes or personal problems with the family, leaving them shocked and searching for answers behind the killing. Mir Raza Ali Khan, a resident of Karachi’s PECHS area, was found dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his abduction and murder.

A mild earthquake was recorded in Karachi on Friday evening, with tremors felt across several parts of the city. The shaking caused brief panic among residents, although no casualties or damage were reported. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the earthquake measured 2.9 on the Richter scale. The seismic event originated at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located within Karachi. The PMD said the earthquake struck at 6:01 pm, and its relatively shallow depth allowed tremors to be felt in different neighbourhoods. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to buildings or infrastructure. Residents in several areas experienced light shaking, but the situation remained calm after the tremors subsided. Officials continue to monitor seismic activity and have advised the public to remain alert while assuring that no emergency situation has been reported following the low-intensity earthquake.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday said Pakistan’s rapid population growth requires a serious review of the country’s governance and administrative structure to ensure it continues to meet the nation’s needs. Speaking at a news conference, the military spokesperson noted that Pakistan’s population had increased from around 70 to 80 million in 1972 to nearly 250 million today, while the country’s administrative framework had largely remained unchanged. He said such a significant rise in population made it necessary to assess whether the existing system was still capable of delivering effective governance and public services. The DG ISPR stressed that improving governance was essential for national security and stability, adding that unresolved issues indicated the need for reforms. However, he emphasized that any changes to the administrative structure must be introduced through constitutional and democratic processes. He said the decision on governance reforms or administrative restructuring should reflect the aspirations of the people rather than individual opinions. Lt Gen Chaudhry also highlighted that Pakistan’s youth now make up the largest segment of the population and urged political leaders to focus on improving governance while guiding the public through constructive political dialogue. He reiterated that lasting solutions to the country’s governance challenges could only be achieved through constitutional means and in accordance with the will of the people.