ISLAMABAD: The military Tuesday reiterated its “neutral stance” towards any political party or ideology, responding to former prime minister Imran Khan’s suggestion that the government’s efforts to prevent him from running for office were backed by the powerful army chief.
In his maiden news conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said: “While respect for all political parties is embedded in the ethos of the Pakistan Army, it is important to clarify that we do not favour any political party or ideology.”
The chief military spokesperson commenced the briefing by focusing on the army’s counter-terrorism offensives.
Beginning with the situation on Pakistan’s eastern border with India and the Line of Control (LoC), Chaudhry pointed out that the de facto border at Kashmir had remained relatively peaceful after the 2021 ceasefire agreement.
However, he criticised India for spreading “fake propaganda” on infiltration and technical air violations, citing the “special political agenda” of New Delhi.
Furthermore, he highlighted that Pakistan had provided complete access to United Nations observers to the LoC, whereas India had not done so, showing that India wished to conceal the situation in occupied Kashmir.
Chaudhry noted Pakistan had organised 16 visits to the LoC, which included participation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) secretary-general and foreign media.
He said that India had violated the LoC ceasefire 56 times this year, which included three airspace violations, 22 instances of speculative firing, six ceasefire violations, and 25 technical airspace violations.
Chaudhry further said that India cannot change the historical status of Kashmir through “aggressive designs and baseless allegations.”
“Should India choose to undertake any misadventure, Pakistani forces will give a strong response,” warned the official.
More details to follow