Abdul Basit Alvi
According to Chaudhry, militants had long used Afghan territory as a sanctuary for planning attacks, storing weapons, and crossing into Pakistan to target civilians and security forces, while repeated Pakistani requests for action from the Afghan interim government were often ignored or denied. Pakistan then launched what he described as precise border operations against militant hideouts rather than invasions, destroying command centers and killing or capturing high-value targets, leading to nearly a sixty percent decline in attacks inside Pakistan. He presented comparative data and noted that intelligence sharing with Afghanistan had improved somewhat but remained insufficient, emphasizing that peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan are interconnected because instability in one harms the other. While expressing hope for greater cooperation, he also warned that Pakistan reserves the right to self-defense and will continue responding if militants keep using Afghan soil, regardless of Kabul’s approval.
Finally, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully committed to defending the country’s sovereignty with indigenous military capabilities and public support. He highlighted several homegrown defense projects. He mentioned the improved version of the Al-Khalid tank, now equipped with advanced night vision and active protection systems. He mentioned the indigenously developed drones used for surveillance and precision strikes. He mentioned the naval corvettes built in Karachi with local technology. He also mentioned progress on the modern air defence system, which combines Chinese, Turkish, and Pakistani components. He said these indigenous capabilities reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. They also allow Pakistan to customize weapons for specific threats.
He added that the armed forces are also investing in artificial intelligence and space surveillance. A new cyber command has been established. Its job is to protect critical infrastructure, including power grids, dams, and financial networks. He said Pakistan is not seeking an arms race. But it will not allow any enemy to gain a technological advantage. Public support, he said, is just as important as weapons.
He thanked the nation for its prayers, donations, and moral backing. He said that a soldier fights with a rifle, but he also fights with the knowledge that his people stand behind him. That knowledge gives him courage. That knowledge makes him unstoppable. He concluded the press briefing by restating the military’s pledge: to defend every inch of Pakistani soil, to protect every Pakistani citizen, and to uphold the Constitution. He then took a few questions from journalists. He answered each one with patience and precision. He did not evade difficult questions. He did not exaggerate successes. He simply told the truth as the military sees it. The whole nation has appreciated this presser. From urban professionals in Karachi to farmers in Punjab, from students in Peshawar to elders in Gilgit, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Social media was flooded with clips from the briefing. Journalists wrote editorials praising the transparency and tone. Even former diplomats and retired generals expressed approval. The nation appreciates the commitment of Pakistan’s armed forces to defend the beloved country. That appreciation is not blind loyalty. It is earned through decades of sacrifice, professionalism, and love for the nation. And as Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry walked out of the press room, he carried with him not just a file of notes, but the confidence of 240 million people. That is the true strength of Pakistan. That is the resolve that no enemy can break. And that is the message that will be remembered long after the briefings end and the cameras turn off.
Concluded
