Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday that those responsible for the planning of the violent protests on May 9 will face justice, asserting that the accountability process will not stop until the planners of the incidents are held fully accountable.
Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR spoke on range of issues including counter-terrorism operations in 2024, cross border terrorism and May 9 violent protests.
The briefing comes amid growing security concerns, with a noticeable increase in attacks targeting security forces and law enforcement agencies, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Addressing the presser, the military’s spokesperson underscored that no political leader’s desire for power should take precedence over the nation’s well-being.
“We respect all political parties and their leadership,” ISPR spokesperson said in response to a question about the rumored backdoor discussions between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the military.
“However, no individual, his politics, or his desire for power is above Pakistan,” he added firmly, emphasising the military’s commitment to the country’s interests over political maneuvering.
He also welcomed the concept of dialogue among political factions to resolve differences. “It is encouraging that politicians sit together and solve their problems through conversation,” he said, reflecting a positive stance on political engagement.
‘925 terrorists killed in 2024’
DG ISPR also outlined the Pakistan military’s efforts against terrorism, reporting a significant number of successful operations in 2024.
He revealed that security forces had carried out a total of 59,775 operations this year, emphasising the significant sacrifices made by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
He stated that these operations resulted in the death of 925 terrorists, including members of terrorist groups such as the khawarij, marking the highest number of terrorist fatalities in the past five years.
Additionally, 73 high-value targets, including some of the most-wanted terrorists, were eliminated during the operations, DG ISPR said, adding that among those targeted was the leader of Fitna al Khawarij, a prominent terrorist group based in Malakand Division.
