The military’s spokesman on Thursday maintained that the Army has no preferred political party, adding as a national institution, the armed forces maintain political neutrality.
“If anyone in the Army works for the attainment of personal interest and promotes certain political agenda for personal benefit then the internal accountability system kicks in,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said to a question during a press conference at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi. “The Army is not opposed to any political party, nor does it support any,” he said, adding the military kept a professional relationship with the government as laid down in the Constitution and the law.
To another question on rumors of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan facing a military trial, he said that under military law anyone who “uses” an individual subject to the Army Act for personal or political gain—or is “used” in the same manner—then the law would take its course. Stressing that the matter was sub judice and he could not comment on hypotheticals, he indicated conditions existed that allowed for the trial of a civilian under military law.
Earlier this week, Khan’s counsel filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking a bar on his potential military trial. In the petition, the former prime minister specifically pointed to the arrest and field court martial of Hameed, claiming the former ISI chief could become an approver against him.
Responding to a separate but linked question, Gen. Chaudhry recalled that the statement on the arrest of Hameed had outlined that he had contravened the Constitution and laws to advance the interests of certain political elements for personal gains.
To a question on why Hameed was appointed ISI chief after he was already implicated in the Top City case, the Army spokesman said the prime minister appointed the ISI chief and was his direct boss, suggesting Khan had played a role in the appointment. “In an expression of confidence in the Army’s accountability system, the matter was referred to the Army through the Ministry of Defense,” he said of the Supreme Court order in the Top City case that had led to Hameed’s arrest.
According to Chaudhry, a court of inquiry was formed in April to probe the allegations and had found “solid evidence” supporting the initiation of the ongoing Field General Court Martial process. “Court-martial proceedings have been initiated against the officer,” he said, stressing he could not give a timeframe for the completion of its process. However, he stressed, anyone found involved in the case would be prosecuted under law. He also maintained that the accused had a right of defense and could appeal any decision reached against him.
Balochistan and terrorism
Earlier, briefing journalists on the Army’s counter-terrorism operations, Gen. Chaudhry said 32,173 intelligence-based operations were carried out in the first eight months of this year, including 4,021 in August alone that killed 90 alleged terrorists.
Maintaining the Army was conducting over 130 operations daily in collaboration with police, intelligence, and other law enforcement bodies, he said 193 soldiers were martyred over the past eight months. He stressed that these sacrifices only strengthened the armed forces’ resolve to continue this fight until the end of terrorism.
To a question on why such operations were required after every few years, the ISPR chief suggested the problem lay in the rebuilding and rehabilitation phase. He maintained the military had, since the launch of its operations, successfully cleared approximately 46,000 square kilometers of territory and eliminated all no-go areas and terrorist strongholds. “We have accomplished the clear and hold stages of our counter-insurgency strategy, and are now conducting intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to sustain this progress,” he said.
However, he regretted, the build and transfer phases that were the responsibility of local and provincial governments remained pending, leading to some areas requiring fresh clearance operations. “In some regions, the government’s writ is only maintained through military operations,” he lamented, noting any prolonged military involvement risked triggering negative narratives about the Army.
He said both the original and revised National Action Plans, as well as Operation Azm-e-Istehkam called for the civilian leadership to take steps to strengthen the criminal justice system, disrupt the terrorism-crime nexus, and develop a robust narrative against extremism and terrorism.
On unrest in Balochistan, he said the armed forces were aware of the sense of deprivation in the province. However, he stressed, the perpetrators of terrorism have nothing to do with “Islam or Balochistan.” He said a “clear message” had been sent to extremists in Balochistan that they would be dealt with iron hands. He also noted that the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan had increased facilitation of the TTP from across the border. He said this issue was being addressed.