ISLAMABAD: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry firmly rejected claims of any backchannel communication with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, asserting that the military has no interest in engaging with political parties.
In a wide-ranging interview with a British media outlet, recorded on May 18 at ISPR Headquarters, Gen Sharif emphasized that dialogue and negotiations fall squarely within the domain of political leadership. “The military engages with the state, not with individual political actors,” he said, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to functioning under constitutional boundaries.
Responding to allegations of political interference, particularly after Imran Khan’s ouster, the ISPR chief said such narratives are often crafted by political stakeholders to deflect blame for their own failures. He reiterated that the military serves the government in office and must not be drawn into political disputes.
Highlighting the army’s contributions in non-political spheres, Gen Sharif pointed to its support during national crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and polio eradication campaigns, underlining that such efforts are always conducted at the request of civil authorities.
On Balochistan, he acknowledged the complex security dynamics, driven by separatist forces and foreign-backed propaganda. He said a judicial commission is actively probing cases of enforced disappearances, while reiterating that unlawful detentions are unacceptable.
Touching on cyber regulations, Gen Sharif defended Pakistan’s media oversight as being aligned with Article 19 of the Constitution. He also expressed concern over double standards in global media freedom narratives.
