News Analysis |
Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor acknowledged the reality of US being a superpower and their role in geopolitics and stressed that if Pakistan had not played a positive role, US would not have been the only superpower in the world.
Commenting on Pakistan-US relationship, he argued that there is no halt in talks with the US. Nevertheless, US president Donald Trump’s tweet at the beginning of the year and his South Asian policy did affect the regional stability.
DG ISPR cautioned India over its covert operations to destabilize Pakistan and claimed that India should be thankful to Pakistan for its role in defeating Al Qaeda and other terrorist organization. “If Pakistan had not dismantled Al Qaeda, this threat would have reached India,” he said.
General Bajwa wants to take Pakistan on the path of peace and interpreting it in any other way is not commendable. He stressed upon the importance of coordination among the state institutions for the betterment of the country.
Despite Pakistan’s positive role in eliminating the hostile actors from the region, India is playing an active role in instability of the region which is not even in its own interest. While addressing a press conference in general headquarters Rawalpindi, DG ISPR said, General Bajwa’s desire is to make Pakistan peaceful country and to bring peace and security to the region.
Read more: India is fomenting terrorism in Pakistan: DG ISPR
Successful PSL Testimony to Improved Security
He praised Pakistan’s security forces including police, rangers and Pakistan army for playing a vital role in ensuring that key events including Pakistan Super League (PSL), and Pakistan day parade took place peacefully.
After the successful staging of PSL in Lahore and Karachi, there is no reason that Pakistan cannot arrange matches at another place. He said that “I have advised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mr. Najam Sethi, to organize the matches of the next edition of PSL in other cities- Faisalabad, Multan, and Peshawar.”
Identifying water, electricity, and communication as the rudimentary requirements of the province, DG showed commitment to bringing stability in the region using the intelligence-based operations to ensure peace and improved security.
Highlighting the improved security position in Karachi, DG said, there were 70 no-go areas, but now there is none. And political activities in the city are on the peak, hotel occupancy has reached 100%, KSE is performing better and social events are happening without fear.
Maj Ghafoor also praised all security agencies including ISI, Military Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau (IB) for their utmost efforts and sacrifices in improving the security apparatus in the country. “Twenty-six major operations, 23,318 IBOs, 7,738 check-posts and over 23,000 weapons were recovered as part of Raddul Fasaad,” he added.
Read more: Indian Spy Drone Shot Down: ISPR
CPEC challenge
Speaking of the challenges facing Pakistan, he argued that success of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will bring triumph for all regional countries along with Pakistan and China. There are certain elements which are attempting to sabotage the regional peace and can directly undermine Pakistan’s peace and economy.
Deployment of Pakistani forces in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Discussing the Pakistan-Saudi relationship, Major General Ghafoor said that General Bajwa went to Saudi Arabia and held talks with the authorities. Pakistan forces will go to Saud Arabia under a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
He confirmed that our forces are deployed in KSA for training purpose. Citing internal challenges, Saudis have demanded more troops for deployment under the 1992 bilateral security agreement. Pakistan has similar agreements with all other Gulf countries. Iran’s pilots have been training in Pakistan under the same agreement, he said.
Read more: Pakistan gave 100% results with less than 1% funds: DG ISPR
Baluchistan and Internal Security
DG ISPR seemed content with the security situation in FATA which paved way for security forces shifting their focus towards Baluchistan’s betterment and prosperity.
Identifying water, electricity, and communication as the rudimentary requirements of the province, DG showed commitment to bringing stability in the region using the intelligence-based operations to ensure peace and improved security.
DG ISPR Questioned the Misinformation
He also put to rest the speculations regarding Bajwa doctrine and demanded that ‘Bajwa doctrine should be seen with a security lens only’ and 18th amendment has nothing to do with Bajwa doctrine.
He blamed the anchorpersons who participated in the meeting between the COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa and TV anchorpersons. He accused journalists of manipulating, twisting and interpreting the words of the chief according to their own will and comprehension of the issue which created confusion in the certain sections of the media.
On the request of the media persons, off the record meeting was arranged to discuss the security situation of the country. “Army chief during the interaction spoke on same issues and raised concern over the security threats facing the country as I am discussing with you in my media talk,” DG ISPR asserted.
General Bajwa wants to take Pakistan on the path of peace and interpreting it in any other way is not commendable. He stressed upon the importance of coordination among the state institutions for the betterment of the country.