Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Friday that Pakistan cannot yet be described as a “hard state,” stressing that the country’s laws must apply equally to all citizens without discrimination or elitism. Speaking at a press conference focused on the security situation in Balochistan, the military spokesperson said the briefing aimed to address concerns about the province and explain the broader national security landscape. He clarified that the term “hard state” does not refer to military rule but to a system where the rule of law is upheld uniformly, every citizen is treated equally, and all issues are resolved through legal and constitutional mechanisms. The DG ISPR urged citizens to balance demands for rights with their constitutional responsibilities. Referring to Article 5 of the Constitution, he said loyalty to the state and obedience to the Constitution and the law are fundamental obligations of every Pakistani. He added that national identity should take precedence over provincial or ethnic affiliations, emphasizing that every citizen’s foremost identity should be Pakistani. Highlighting the country’s counterterrorism efforts, Lt Gen Chaudhry said security forces have conducted 40,348 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across Pakistan so far this year, averaging around 194 operations daily, with a significant number taking place in Balochistan. According to the military spokesperson, security forces have eliminated 2,084 terrorists during 2026, averaging nearly 10 militants killed each day. He said 3,145 terrorist incidents have been recorded this year, while 819 people have lost their lives, including 303 Pakistan Army personnel, 194 members of law enforcement agencies, and 322 civilians. He also revealed that 28 suicide bombings have occurred this year, claiming that most of the attackers were Afghan nationals. He said Afghan citizens, along with individuals linked to Afghan security forces, were among those killed or arrested during counterterrorism operations. Comparing recent years, the DG ISPR said security forces killed 2,597 terrorists throughout 2025, while the total for 2026 has already reached 2,084. He noted that the effectiveness of counterterrorism operations has improved over time, with security forces now inflicting heavier losses on militant groups. Responding to questions about the increase in terrorist incidents, Lt Gen Chaudhry said militant groups affiliated with the Taliban have intensified their activities because Pakistan has adopted a firm stance against them. He added that the rise in reported incidents also reflects the growing number of proactive intelligence-based operations, which lead to more engagements between security forces and terrorists. He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security forces remain committed to eliminating terrorism and maintaining stability across the country, particularly in Balochistan.
