Kashmir Is Pakistan’s Most Cherished Cause and Will Always Remain So, Says DG ISPR

Rawalpindi: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said that Kashmir remains Pakistan’s most cherished cause, reiterating the country’s long-standing position that “Kashmir was, is, and will remain Pakistan’s jugular vein.”

Addressing a media briefing in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR said that future generations of Pakistanis would continue to raise the slogan, “Kashmir will become Pakistan.” He added that Pakistan considers Kashmir an integral part of its national cause.

Responding to criticism directed at the Pakistan Army, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said it was inaccurate to describe the military as an occupying force. He noted that around 100,000 Kashmiris serve in the Pakistan Army and said many Pakistani soldiers and officers had sacrificed their lives in connection with the Kashmir conflict.

The military spokesperson also emphasized that Pakistan’s national security, good governance, and public welfare are closely interconnected. He said the country’s administrative structure and governance system should be reviewed in light of changing national requirements.

The DG ISPR stated that effective governance is essential for Pakistan’s security and that many national challenges cannot be addressed without improving governance. He noted that Pakistan’s population has grown from around 70–80 million in 1972 to nearly 250 million today, making administrative reforms increasingly important.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that if an administrative reset is required to improve governance, it should be considered. However, he stressed that decisions regarding the creation of smaller administrative units or other governance reforms ultimately rest with the people.