Ali Anwar
In international affairs, words matter, but consistency matters even more. Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), in his exclusive interview with a German magazine, delivered both. His remarks were not just talking points for foreign consumption; they were a reflection of Pakistan’s long-standing security concerns and a reminder to the world of the sacrifices this country has made.
Let us begin with the Afghan refugee question. For more than forty years, Pakistan has carried the weight of millions of Afghans on its soil. No other country has shown such patience and generosity for so long. Yet, as the DG ISPR pointed out, this generosity has not been without cost. Evidence exists that some illegal Afghan residents have been involved in terrorism, smuggling, and organised crime.
The dilemma is obvious: how much longer can Pakistan afford to play host when its own economy is under strain and its own citizens are under threat? Humanitarian compassion cannot mean turning a blind eye to national security. The interview made it clear that Pakistan is trying to strike a balance, but the world must also acknowledge this burden rather than treating it as Pakistan’s permanent responsibility.
The DG ISPR’s strongest words were reserved for India. And rightly so. Under its current political climate, India has embraced extremism, both in its policies and in its institutions. The disturbing part, as he explained, is that extremist ideology has now crept into the Indian armed forces. A military influenced by ideology rather than professionalism is not just a danger to its own people-it is a danger to the entire region.
New Delhi’s habit of “presenting internal issues as external and external issues as internal” is another point worth stressing. Instead of addressing its own divisions, India finds it convenient to point fingers at Pakistan. Yet the world cannot ignore the credible evidence Pakistan has repeatedly presented-evidence of Indian state-sponsored terrorism, even involving serving military officers.
This is not a game of narratives. It is a matter of life, death, and regional stability. If India continues on this path, South Asia’s security will only deteriorate further. Pakistani conversation about regional security is complete without Kashmir, and the DG ISPR was clear on this as well. He reminded the world that Kashmir is not just an unresolved territorial dispute; it is an unresolved responsibility of the international community.
For decades, the people of Kashmir have been denied their right to self-determination. Meanwhile, India’s extremist politics have only tightened the grip of repression. The silence of world powers on this issue is more than disappointing-it is a betrayal of the very principles they claim to defend. If the conscience of the international community cannot be stirred by Kashmir’s suffering, then what moral ground remains for lectures on human rights elsewhere?
One of the most powerful parts of the interview was Pakistan’s reiteration of its counterterrorism stance. There is no room for ambiguity: Pakistan rejects all non-state actors. No group, no individual, can declare jihad. Only the state has that authority.
But this is not just rhetoric. Pakistan has sacrificed tens of thousands of lives and lost billions in its economy while fighting terrorism. These are not just statistics; they are sacrifices etched into the national memory. Yet the world often overlooks this reality.
The DG ISPR’s warning about the weapons left behind in Afghanistan is particularly significant. These arms, abandoned during the US withdrawal, are now fueling terrorism in Pakistan. This is not a problem Pakistan created, yet it is Pakistan that bleeds because of it. Washington itself has acknowledged this danger, but acknowledgement is not enough-action is needed. Another important theme was Pakistan’s international relationships. The DG ISPR rightly described ties with China as constructive and strategic. Beijing has been a consistent partner, and Pakistan values that. With the United States, the picture is more complex. He recalled Donald Trump’s role in easing Pakistan-India tensions, a reminder that US influence can still play a positive role if applied wisely.
He also welcomed Washington’s decision to designate the Majid Brigade as a terrorist organisation. At the same time, he exposed how hostile narratives falsely portray militants in Balochistan as “missing persons,” part of a propaganda war against Pakistan. Here again, the message was clear: terrorism cannot be whitewashed by clever storytelling.
What stands out most in this interview is the consistency of Pakistan’s position. Time and again, our officials have said the same thing: Pakistan wants peace, Pakistan rejects terrorism, and Pakistan calls for fairness. Yet, what do we receive in return? Accusations, indifference, or at best, polite silence.
The DG ISPR’s words were both a reminder and a warning. A reminder that Pakistan has done its share, and a warning that ignoring the real threats-India’s extremism, Kashmir’s repression, and Afghanistan’s instability-will have consequences beyond our borders.
As I see it, the interview was not just about Pakistan explaining itself to the world. It was about putting responsibility back where it belongs-on the shoulders of the international community. Pakistan has hosted refugees, fought terrorists, and sought peace. But peace is not a solo act. If the world remains silent on Kashmir, blind to India’s extremism, and slow to act on Afghan instability, then it is not Pakistan that will be isolated-it is the conscience of the global order. We will not compromise on our security, we will not tolerate terrorism, and we will not stop raising Kashmir. The world can either join us in building stability or continue to watch South
Asia drift toward chaos. The choice is theirs.
The writer is an old Aitchisonian who believes in freedom of expression, a freelance columnist, entrepreneur and social activist.
