The DG ISPR began his latest press conference by highlighting the professional achievements that demonstrate the war readiness of the armed forces to counter any foreign aggression. As evidence, he elaborated on various professional tasks undertaken by the armed forces to prepare them to face any adversity. These included the construction of dams, restoration of the Kachi Canal, rehabilitation of the Sibi-Harnai railway track, construction and opening of schools in Balochistan and the erstwhile FATA, the establishment of medical camps, border control along the Afghan-Pakistan trade corridor, and measures to counter electricity theft. He informed the audience that disproportionate funds have been invested in Balochistan to alleviate and improve the socio-economic well-being of its people, highlighting this as one of the armed forces’ most significant professional achievements.
He also elaborated on other professional achievements, including the punishment meted out to the alleged 85 civilian perpetrators of the events of May 9 by military courts. He equated this to the swift justice delivered to civilians involved in violent agitation in the USA, UK, and France, while conveniently overlooking the fact that in the countries he cited, such punishments were handed down by civilian courts, not military courts.
The ISPR chief further detailed several other professional accomplishments. He began by highlighting the killing of over 900 alleged Khawarij, terrorists, secessionists, and separatists. He provided a sobering account of the armed forces and law enforcement personnel who lost their lives during thousands of intelligence-based operations. However, he left it to the journalists and audience to interpret that all those killed were Pakistanis. Whether they were alleged terrorists or security personnel, their deaths have only added to the wounds, pain, and agony of Pakistani society.
The ISPR Chief also claimed the distinction of labeling various sections of Pakistani society with his preferred terms. He referred to the TTP Pakistanis as Khawarij, labeled social media activists, whether operating inside or outside Pakistan, as “digital terrorists,” and described Pakistanis living along the border areas as “smugglers.” Additionally, he branded those exercising their constitutional right to assembly and protest as “armed thugs.” This time, he added yet another label to his repertoire—”political terrorists”—referring to individuals and groups who participate in processions, sit-ins, or protests. Without explicitly naming PTI, he implied that this term exclusively applies to its members and supporters.
While describing the armed forces’ approach to Afghan policy, he stated that the armed forces are engaged with the Afghan government at various levels, both bilaterally and through mutually friendly countries. He clearly conveyed that such engagements are undertaken at the direction of the Army Chief. It can be easily anticipated that, in future press conferences, should this policy fail, its failure will be conveniently attributed to the civilian leadership, who, according to the armed forces’ narrative, are often portrayed as neither competent nor capable of handling such sensitive matters.
This strategy of shifting responsibility has been effectively employed by the armed forces in the past. A recent example is the policy of negotiating a settlement with the TTP, which was led by the former Army Chief and DG ISI. Not a single civilian was involved in the negotiations, the signing of agreements, or the facilitation of the TTP’s settlement in certain regions of Pakistan. These actions were undertaken without any coherent or effective efforts to deradicalize TTP members or ensure their integration into society as responsible citizens. However, now that this policy has failed, its failure has conveniently been attributed to the former civilian government.
The DG ISPR reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to the defense of the country. In this regard, he identified social media activists as the biggest enemies of the state and elaborated on a comprehensive offensive set in place to counter this threat. He stated that millions of dollars have been invested to gag social media platforms in order to safeguard the country from the onslaught of “digital terrorists,” who are incidentally Pakistanis, both within the country and from the overseas Pakistani community. He also accused human rights organizations, civil rights movements, and international human rights watchdogs of fictitiously highlighting human rights abuses by fabricating and disseminating fake videos on social media. He advised these organizations to focus instead on human rights abuses in Gaza and Indian-Occupied Kashmir.
The DG ISPR also rightly identified governance issues as the root cause of the societal, economic, and law and order challenges facing the country. However, he conveniently stated that these were the responsibility of the civilian leadership and bureaucracy. Conversely, during his press conference, he did not hesitate to convey the perception that the armed forces are in control of every facet of national life without exception. He touched upon governance issues, political matters, foreign policy, domestic politics, the justice system, development projects, border control regimes, developments in Balochistan, Afghan policy, and relations with India. In fact, the DG ISPR made it clear during his press conference that the armed forces are fully in control of the entire governance system, while conveniently shifting the blame for the root causes of the country’s myriad issues onto the civilian government.
While replying to a question, the DG ISPR stated that the armed forces have no favorite or unfavorite political party, seemingly unaware that his entire press conference targeted one political party and its leaders, labeling them as “political terrorists.” While professing the armed forces’ neutrality, he also mentioned that the armed forces remained engaged with political parties both overtly and covertly, which he claimed was irrefutable evidence of their neutrality.
The DG ISPR repeatedly used a standard narrative in his comments. He claimed that the armed forces, with the help of the people of Pakistan, defeated the D-Chowk protesters who allegedly carried firearms, tear gas shells, and nail-studded batons, and referred to them as “political terrorists” who had killed Rangers personnel. However, he conveniently omitted any mention of civilians allegedly killed by the Rangers’ direct fire. He further stated that the armed forces would defeat the political party marked with a “red cross” with the help of the people of Pakistan. Similarly, he asserted that the armed forces would defeat digital terrorists and smugglers with the support of the people of Pakistan. Yet, he failed to provide any reason, logic, or evidence to substantiate the claim that the people of Pakistan support the armed forces in their actions against these various “terrorists,” all of whom happen to be Pakistani citizens.
Following the heavily attended press conference, the entire Pakistani nation has been assured that it is in the safe and capable hands of Pakistan’s armed forces. The message conveyed was that no harm could come to the nation under their protection. While traditionally the armed forces were the defenders of the country’s borders, during Zia’s era, they additionally assumed the role of defending the country’s ideological frontiers. Now, they have taken on the additional title of defending the nation’s social media space. Practically, they have become the defenders of every aspect of national life without exception. The nation is thus reassured, feeling safe, sound, and protected under the firm and patriotic grip of the armed forces.
Writer is Press Secretary to the President(Rtd), Former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France and Former MD, SRBC. He is living in Macomb, Detroit, Michigan
