PTBP Web Desk
Pakistan’s military has once again reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to national defense, with DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry declaring that any external aggression against the country will be met with a “strong and decisive response.”
The statement comes at a time of heightened tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as Islamabad continues to raise concerns about cross-border terrorism allegedly emanating from Afghan soil. According to Pakistani officials, militant groups operating from across the border have been launching attacks inside Pakistan — a claim that the Taliban administration in Kabul consistently denies.
Over the past several weeks, relations between the two neighboring countries have grown increasingly strained. Islamabad has called on Kabul to take concrete action against terrorist organizations using Afghan territory to target Pakistan. The Taliban, however, maintains that no such groups are being harbored on Afghan soil.
This escalation follows a series of terrorist incidents in Pakistan’s border regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, areas that have long been vulnerable to militant activity.
Adding to regional complexities, Pakistan also faced a brief but intense standoff with India earlier this year. In May, both countries were drawn into what analysts described as “the worst escalation in decades.” After four days of military confrontation, the two sides reached a US-brokered ceasefire, easing fears of a broader regional conflict.
Speaking to students and faculty members at Abbottabad University, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasized that the Pakistan Army remains fully committed to defending the homeland.
“The armed forces of Pakistan are bound by their oath to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity, and any external aggression will be met with a firm and decisive response,”
he asserted during his address.
Lt Gen Chaudhry also highlighted Pakistan’s sustained efforts in counterterrorism, stating that the armed forces have effectively neutralized the “fitna of khawarij” — a term used to describe extremist elements destabilizing the region.
The DG ISPR noted that the Pakistan Army’s counterterrorism campaign has been marked by strategic operations aimed at dismantling militant networks. Between April 22 and May 10, the military conducted Operation Bunyān Marsūs, dubbed “Ma’raka-e-Haq” (The Battle for Truth), targeting insurgent strongholds.
This operation, according to military officials, was critical in restoring peace in several conflict-hit districts.
During the session, attendees paid tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs (shuhada), acknowledging their sacrifices in defending the nation.
Dr. Ikramullah Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Hazara University, lauded the Pakistan Army’s dedication and patriotism, stating that the forces’ determination embodies the spirit of national unity.
He also cautioned that terrorist elements were attempting to mislead Pakistan’s youth, underscoring the importance of disseminating accurate and credible information to counter misinformation and extremist narratives.
The academic participants echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that their interaction with DG ISPR had helped dispel several misconceptions regarding Pakistan’s security situation and the military’s role in stabilizing the country.
Earlier this month, on October 21, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir had also reaffirmed that any violation of Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty would be met with a “severe and decisive response.”
Observers note that both statements — by the COAS and DG ISPR — underscore Pakistan’s strategic clarity amid an evolving regional environment, signaling a consistent policy of deterrence and readiness against both conventional and asymmetric threats.
