Afghan Conditions Hold No Meaning; Eliminating Terrorism Is Pakistan’s Priority: DG ISPR

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily)** — Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) **Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry** has said that **Afghanistan’s conditions carry no weight**, as Pakistan’s **primary objective remains the complete eradication of terrorism**.

Speaking informally with journalists in **Peshawar**, the DG ISPR stated that the **decision to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza** would be made by the **government and parliament**, emphasizing that Pakistan is **fully capable of defending its borders and citizens** and is **completely sovereign** in its policy decisions.

Providing details on ongoing counterterrorism operations against **“Fitna al-Khawarij”**, he revealed that **1,667 terrorists have been eliminated** so far. Terrorists, he said, were collecting illegal “taxes” under the guise of *ushr*. Most of the counterterror operations this year have taken place in **Balochistan**, with **62,113 operations conducted** and **582 soldiers martyred**.

He further disclosed that during the last phase of intensified conflict, **206 Afghan Taliban and 112 militants from Fitna al-Khawarij** were killed, with **60% of attackers identified as Afghan nationals**.

General Sharif underscored that the **army does not wish to be entangled in politics** and must be kept **separate from political matters**. He dismissed **Afghanistan’s imposed conditions** as meaningless, reiterating that **defeating terrorism is the true priority**.

He also warned that **drug smugglers in Afghanistan** have expanded their political influence, and large quantities of **narcotics are being smuggled into Pakistan**.

Highlighting intelligence findings, the DG ISPR said that **Afghan Taliban are providing shelter and protection** to terrorists from *Fitna al-Khawarij*, relocating them into **densely populated areas**. He added that **Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)** has pledged allegiance to the **Amir of the Afghan Taliban**, effectively making TTP **an extension of the Taliban regime**.

Discussing recent operations in **Tirah Valley**, he said **opium crops were destroyed** using **drones, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and Frontier Corps (FC)**. In **Khyber Pakhtunkhwa**, poppy cultivation had spread over **12,000 acres**, with profits ranging from **1.8 to 3.2 million rupees per acre**. Local politicians and influential figures were also complicit in this illicit trade, which, according to him, is protected by the Afghan Taliban as the **narcotics are processed in Afghanistan into drugs like crystal meth (“ice”)**.

Concluding his remarks, the DG ISPR said Pakistan’s **response to cross-border threats from Afghanistan has been swift and effective**, expressing hope that both countries will soon **resolve issues peacefully** and ensure **Afghan soil is not used against Pakistan**.