DG ISPR Calls for Strict Laws Against Digital Terrorism
RAWALPINDI: The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has clarified that the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign has been designed with national consensus to eliminate the threat of terrorism from the country.
Addressing a news conference in Rawalpindi today, he said that certain elements with vested interests intend to make Azm-e-Istehkam controversial.
Quoting a declaration issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the DG ISPR said Azm-e-Istehkam is a comprehensive and multi-domain counter-terrorism campaign aimed at eradicating the scourge of terrorism from the country.Brave Captain Martyred in North Waziristan Clash, Two Terrorists Neutralized
He said the campaign is meant to reinvigorate and reenergize the ongoing revised National Action Plan, which was initiated with national consensus across the political spectrum.
He further stated that Azm-e-Istehkam is aimed at energizing the already ongoing intelligence-based kinetic operations to dismantle the facilitation due to the terror-crime nexus.
It will help establish a secure environment necessary for the economic development and prosperity of the country.
Highlighting the 14 points of the National Action Plan, he said that kinetic operations are being carried out in an excellent manner.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry noted that 22,409 intelligence-based operations were conducted this year, resulting in the elimination of 398 terrorists, while 137 officers and personnel of the law enforcement agencies embraced martyrdom.
Referring to the second point of the revised National Action Plan, the Director General said that the capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan needs to be strengthened.
He said the revised National Action Plan also calls for regulating seminaries in the country.
Turning to the 13th point of the revised National Action Plan, the Director General ISPR said that non-customs paid vehicles and smuggling have become a significant racket of illegal activities, which also facilitate terrorists to operate.
He mentioned that Afghan nationals travel to neighboring countries on valid travel documents like passports and visas.
However, there is an outcry if Pakistan imposes a visa system on its border with Afghanistan.
He said that certain elements want a soft border to support the illegal activities worth billions of rupees.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that the security agencies are vigorously acting against illegal activities and the terror-crime nexus.
In response to a question, he said that digital terrorists are determined to weaken the public’s trust in the armed forces and there should be stringent laws to check this onslaught on social media.
