Polling continues in second phase of AJK elections

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said Pakistan must become a “hard state” where the Constitution and law are applied equally to everyone, stressing that strong governance is essential to defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting peace. He rejected claims that the security situation in Balochistan is worsening, calling them part of a deliberate campaign to create a false perception about the province. Addressing a detailed press conference on Friday, the military spokesperson said Pakistan’s security forces continue to make significant gains against terrorism through sustained intelligence-based operations across the country. Lt Gen Chaudhry said a total of 40,348 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) have been carried out so far this year by the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies and civil armed forces. More than 31,000 of these operations were conducted in Balochistan, reflecting the state’s continued focus on restoring peace in the province. He said Pakistan recorded 3,145 terrorism-related incidents during 2026. Of these, 1,971 incidents occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,148 in Balochistan and 26 in other parts of the country. The ISPR chief said security forces killed 2,084 confirmed terrorists during operations this year, describing it as the highest average in the country’s history. On average, around 10 terrorists have been eliminated every day, while nearly 200 intelligence-based operations are conducted daily. Highlighting the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism, Lt Gen Chaudhry said 819 Pakistanis lost their lives in terrorism-related incidents this year. The victims included 303 military personnel, 194 members of police and civil armed forces, and 322 civilians. He also revealed that 28 suicide attacks had taken place across the country during the year. According to him, most of these attacks involved Afghan nationals or individuals linked to groups operating from Afghan territory. The military spokesperson said the rise in terrorist attacks should not be viewed as a sign of weakness. Instead, he argued that militant groups have intensified attacks because of increasing pressure from proactive security operations and repeated battlefield setbacks. Lt Gen Chaudhry also accused the Afghan Taliban administration of allowing terrorist groups to operate from Afghan soil, claiming cross-border support remains a major factor behind terrorism inside Pakistan. Explaining his vision of a “hard state,” he said it does not mean military rule. Rather, it refers to a country where institutions function according to the Constitution, laws are enforced fairly, and no individual or group stands above the law. Referring to Article 5 of Pakistan’s Constitution, he said loyalty to the state and obedience to the Constitution are fundamental duties of every citizen. He added that discussions about rights must also include recognition of civic responsibilities. Speaking specifically about Balochistan, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the province’s real challenge lies with certain elites and tribal leaders who seek to preserve the existing power structure. He alleged that some influential groups oppose educational and economic progress because they fear losing their traditional influence. He further claimed that some individuals benefit from illegal activities, including smuggling and other criminal networks, and promote unrest whenever the state strengthens law enforcement or cracks down on such activities. The military spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan would not negotiate with terrorist groups or those using violence for political purposes. Instead, he said the armed forces would continue engaging directly with the people of Balochistan, whom he described as the province’s true stakeholders. Lt Gen Chaudhry also alleged that hostile foreign powers are attempting to exploit Balochistan’s strategic location and natural resources by supporting anti-state elements in collaboration with local actors opposed to reforms and development. Discussing the issue of missing persons, he said the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has received 10,901 complaints since its establishment. Of these, 9,372 cases have been resolved, with 4,896 individuals returning home, around 1,030 found in prisons, 308 confirmed dead, and nearly 2,400 complaints determined to be incorrectly reported. He added that 2,933 complaints originated from Balochistan, of which 2,767 have already been resolved.