(Web Desk) — Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry warned that the Pakistan Army would take legal action against anyone, regardless of their position, who is found to be involved in spreading propaganda against the armed forces or creating divisions between the military and the people.
“It is the country’s law that has to control and curb digital terrorism [but] unfortunately, you can see that lies, propaganda — particularly on social media — fake news and doctored images continue to spread while confusion is created in the public’s mind,” The DG ISPR said at a press conference in Rawalpindi while criticising the lack of legal action against the spread of fake news, propaganda, and “digital terrorism” in the country on Monday.
In a press conference, He stressed the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws to counter digital terrorism. He criticised the ineffective application of current laws to combat misinformation on social media and other digital platforms, asserting that legal action will be taken against anyone spreading propaganda against the armed forces or creating divisions between the military and the public, irrespective of their position.
Regarding ongoing discussions with a political party, Gen. Chaudhry reaffirmed the military’s unchanged stance on the May 9 riots, maintaining that there would be no shift in their position.
The DG ISPR also condemned the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), labeling it a “proxy of terrorist organizations and criminal mafias.” He accused the BYC’s leadership of defaming law enforcement agencies and disrupting development projects in Balochistan through foreign funding and influence. He dismissed recent protests by the Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar as a “drama” orchestrated recently.
Updating on counter-terrorism efforts, Gen. Chaudhry highlighted that security forces have conducted 23,622 intelligence-based operations this year, including 2,045 operations in the past 15 days, resulting in the elimination of 24 terrorists. He stressed that the Pakistan Army, intelligence agencies, police, and other law enforcement agencies conduct over a hundred operations daily to combat terrorism.
Additionally, the DG ISPR announced the government’s new designation for the banned terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” meaning “mischief-making group,” and its members as “Kharji” or “outcasts,” underscoring their disconnection from Islam and Pakistan.
