Pakistan Army’s Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that Pakistan always conducts its strikes openly and never targets civilians.
Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, hours after the Afghan Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out overnight strikes inside Afghanistan, General Ahmed Sharif clarified that Pakistan does not differentiate between “good” and “bad” Taliban. “There is no distinction among terrorists. A terrorist is a terrorist,” he stated firmly.
He added that Pakistan responds as a responsible state. “Whenever Pakistan strikes, we announce it. We never target civilians. Blood and trade cannot go together. It is not possible that we keep facing attacks and still continue trade,” he noted. “Our issue is with terrorism, not with the Afghan people.”
Refuting the allegations emanating from Kabul, he said, “Pakistan Army has not attacked civilians inside Afghanistan.”
The ISPR chief also urged the Afghan Taliban to behave like a responsible state rather than non-state actors. “The Taliban government must decide as a state. How long will it remain an interim government?” he questioned.
He further called for an immediate ban on non-custom-paid vehicles, saying many terrorist incidents involve the use of such vehicles.
Speaking about the case of former DG ISI General Faiz Hameed, Sharif said the matter is purely legal and unnecessary speculation should stop. “Once the case reaches a final decision, the authorities will announce it immediately,” he added.
Gen Hameed has been in custody since August 2024. On August 12, 2024, the military announced the initiation of court martial proceedings against him over allegations of violating the Army Act and misconduct, based on a complaint filed by the owner of a private housing society.