On 5 September, DG ISPR Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry gave a press briefing in Rawalpindi and addressed a range of issues. The main points of discussion were a potential military trial of Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

On Imran Khan’s military trial
In response to a question regarding PTI’s apprehensions towards a possible military trial of Imran Khan, Lt Chaudhry avoided giving a “direct answer,” stating that the question was “hypothetical” and the matter now “sub-judice.” He was referring to Imran Khan recently approaching the Islamabad High Court against a possible military trial. Gen Chaudhry, however, pointed out that if any person, irrespective of their status, uses military personnel who fall within the Army Act for their “personal or political gains” then they can be tried under the Army Act. In this regard, he stated “Under military law, anyone who uses individuals subject to the Army Act for personal or political gain and evidence of such actions exists, will be subject to the law taking its course.” Further, the chief military spokesperson pointed out that any person being tried under the Army Act had the right to present evidence and appeal. He also emphasized that the army does not support or oppose any political party. Gen Chaudhry also referenced former ISI chief Lt General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s recent court martial and highlighted professionalism and self-accountability within the Army. In this regard, he stated “We hope this indiscriminate self-accountability will persuade the other institutions that if any of their personnel uses positions for personal or political agenda, they will be held accountable.” Both Imran Khan and the PTI have alleged that Gen Hameed is likely to be made approver against Khan and that the latter’s custody could be transferred to the military to facilitate his trial under the Army Act. These fears gained further traction when the federal government’s legal affairs spokesman hinted that Imran Khan could be tried under the Army Act.

On counter-terrorism operations and persistence of terrorism
Gen Chaudhry revealed that 32,173 intelligence-based operations were carried out in the country until August. Out of this, 4,021 operations were carried out in the month of August alone. 90 alleged extremists were eliminated as a result of these operations and 193 soldiers lost their lives. He also pointed out that almost 130 operations were conducted on a daily basis this year in collaboration with the police and intelligence agencies. On a questionpertaining to surge in terrorist attacks despite intelligence-based-operations, Gen Chaudhry blamed the inefficacy of the civilian authorities. He pointed out that the Army has eliminated terrorists and terrorism from about 46,000 square kilometres of territory and now engages in intelligence-based-operations to maintain this status quo. In this regard, he stated “We have accomplished the clear and hold stages of our counter-insurgency strategy, and are now conducting intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to sustain this progress.” However, the DG-ISPR chief lamented that the civilian governments- both local and provincial- have been unable to deftly handle the “build and transfer phases.” This has meant that some of these areas have had to be cleared again. He also acknowledged the downside of long-term military presence in these areas and opined that this leads to “negative narratives about the army.” He, however, cautioned that “In some regions, the government’s writ is only maintained through military operations.” Additionally, he also suggested that civilian authorities must take proactive steps to complement the efforts of the Army such as measures to “strengthen the criminal justice system, disrupt the terrorism-crime nexus, and develop a robust narrative against extremism and terrorism.” Further, he blamed the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan for the surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan and assured that the matter was being dealt with.

References
Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Army hints at military trial for Imran,” Dawn, 6 September 2024
Muhammad Anis, “Faiz Hameed’s case and PTI’s apprehensions: Legal action for using person under Army Act for gains, says DG ISPR,” The News International, 6September 2024
Ansar Abbasi, “Military spokesman leaves big question mark over Imran’s fate,” The News International, 6 September 2024
Kamran Yousaf, “DG ISPR hints at Imran Khan’s military trial,” The Express Tribune, 5 September 2024