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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.

LAHORE: Authorities have arrested 28 suspects in Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan as part of a major crackdown on organised online fraud, exposing alleged schemes that relied on impersonation, fake investment opportunities and fabricated official identities to deceive citizens. The arrests were made during a province-wide operation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab, directed by Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials said. Investigators also seized 24 mobile phones and a laptop, which are now being examined for evidence that could lead to other members of the alleged network. The investigation has revealed how fraudsters allegedly manipulated trust to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. Millions allegedly lost in Lahore scam In Lahore, 18 suspects were arrested in separate operations. Investigators said the suspects allegedly impersonated relatives, visa agents, government officials and personnel associated with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. In one case, suspects allegedly posed as both a relative and a visa agent and persuaded a victim to transfer Rs25.86 million. The case has highlighted how scammers can combine apparently familiar identities with urgent requests to make their schemes appear legitimate. Rs54.66m trading fraud uncovered Three suspects were arrested in Faisalabad in connection with alleged online trading fraud and unauthorised access to a company email account. According to investigators, a victim was shown fabricated trading records, digital-wallet balances and purported profit statements to create the impression that substantial returns were being generated. After being persuaded to invest, the victim allegedly lost Rs54.66 million, investigators said. The case demonstrates the growing sophistication of investment scams, where criminals allegedly use manipulated digital information to make fraudulent platforms appear genuine. Multan arrests expose impersonation tactics In Multan, seven suspects were arrested for allegedly posing as relatives, bank employees and individuals claiming to be based in Britain. Officials said victims were approached with various demands, including payments supposedly required for prize money, customs clearance, taxes and visa renewals. Such tactics typically create a sense of urgency, leaving victims with little time to verify the identity of the caller or the authenticity of the demand. Digital evidence now under forensic examination NCCIA investigators are examining the seized devices through forensic analysis. Financial transactions, call records and digital communications are also being reviewed to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify other people who may be connected to it. The crackdown comes amid growing concern over online financial fraud in Pakistan. The NCCIA’s own statistics identify financial fraud as a major category of reported cybercrime. The latest arrests underscore a simple but increasingly important warning: an apparently familiar voice, official-looking message or promising investment opportunity may not be what it seems. Authorities are expected to continue the investigation as they trace the alleged network and follow the digital and financial trails left behind.