Pakistan Army had no political agenda as it believed in self-accountability: DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry

RAWALPINDI, Sep 05 (SABAH): The court martial proceedings against former spymaster Lieutenant General (Retd) Faiz Hameed were initiated based on “concrete evidence” following a detailed probe, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the Pakistan Army had no political agenda as it believed in self-accountability.

In a 48-minute media briefing, the DG ISPR spoke about General (retd) Faiz’s court-martial as an example of the military’s self-accountability and the military operations in the wake of the deadly August 26 attacks in Balochistan and Pakistan-Afghanistan ties, among other issues.

“Following a detailed inquiry based on concrete evidence, the Pakistan Army clearly informed on August 12, 2024 that the relevant officer (Gen Faiz) had violated sections of the Army Act.”

He added that according to the Pakistan Army, after General (retd) Faiz’s retirement, “several instances of violation of the Army Act had emerged. On the basis of these findings, field general court martial proceedings against the former spymaster had been initiated, he added.

“The Pakistan Army believes in self-accountability,” Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry asserted. The Pakistan Army’s self-accountability system is an extremely comprehensive, transparent and strong process, which is time-tested,“ he added.

“This process of self-accountability works on solid proof and evidence instead of allegations. Whenever there is a violation of the laws and regulations present in the army, this self-accountability system comes into effect speedily without any discrimination,” the official asserted.

Recalling that an application against Gen (retd) Faiz was received in the Top City case, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the matter was “referred to the Pakistan Army through the defence ministry while having full belief in the army’s accountability process”. He added that in April this year, the Pakistan Army ordered a “high-level court of inquiry” on the matter.

“There is a clear consensus within the army that it is a national, state-owned institution, which must be prevented from being used against the completion of goals related to specific political agendas,” the ISPR DG said.

He also clarified that the officers concerned would be “entitled to their rights as per the law, such as appointing a lawyer of their choice and the right to appeal”.

The ISPR official said the case against Gen (retd) Faiz testified that the army took “violations carried out for personal and political purposes very seriously and initiates immediate action, without discrimination, according to the law”.

“We hope that such non-discriminatory self-accountability also persuades other institutions,” Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said. “Public trust in the state institutions is their best investment,” he added.

He further said that the armed forces were “well aware of their professional duties” and affirmed that “no compromise of any kind will be done on the national security”. “A secure Pakistan is the guarantee of a strong Pakistan,” the DG ISPR stated.

Referring to the deadly August 26 terror attacks across Balochistan, DG ISPR said they were carried out “on the directives of internal and external enemies and their enablers” with the aim “to impact Balochistan’s peaceful environment and development by targeting innocent people”.

DG ISPR recalled that in response, the security forces eliminated 21 terrorists while 14 security men were martyred. “We know that a sense of deprivation and state force is also found among the people of Balochistan, which certain elements exploit on external directives.

“They exploit it so that the ongoing process of development and public welfare could be affected through fear and alarm,” he added.

The DG ISPR went on to say that those carrying out the attacks and those ordering them “had no connection with Islam, humanity, Baloch tradition and actions”.

Detailing the security forces’ counterterrorism efforts, DG ISPR said 32,173 intelligence-based operations were carried out so far in the current year, with 4,021 of them conducted in the past month where 90 “khawarij were sent to hell”.

He added that the Pakistan Army, police, intelligence and law enforcement agencies “carry out more than 130 operations on a daily basis” to eradicate terrorism.

Stating that 193 brave soldiers embraced martyrdom in the past eight months of 2024, the ISPR DG said the entire nation paid tribute to them and their bereaved families. “The war against Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorism will continue till the eradication of the last khariji and terrorist,” he vowed.

The ISPR official then detailed an “important and successful operation” carried out since August 20 in the Tirah valley against the “Fitna al-Khwarij [banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)] and so-called proscribed organisations Lashkar-i-Islam and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar”.

Stating that the operations were carried out based on accurate and solid information, he said 37 terrorists have been eliminated so far while 14 others were injured.

“Those sent to hell also included highly wanted khariji leader Abuzar urf Saddam,” DG ISPR said, adding that four brave soldiers have been martyred so far.

“Such IBOs are the evidence of our security forces’ bravery and determination to end the evil of terrorism,” he asserted.

Revealing the number of martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland in the last eight months, DG ISPR said that 193 officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom in the counter-terrorism operations.

Commenting on the recent unrest in Balochistan, the military’s spokesperson recalled the attacks carried out by militants on the night between August 25 and 26 in the province.

“We know that there is a sense of deprivation in Balochistan [….] The perpetrators of terrorism have nothing to do with Islam or Balochistan,” Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said.

He said that armed forces of Pakistan are fully aware of their professional responsibilities and there will be no compromise on national security. DG ISPR said it is need of the hour that we should play our individual and collective role to make Pakistan a stronger country and address the challenges effectively.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said only a secure Pakistan can guarantee a stronger Pakistan.