80% of Pakistan’s suicide bombers are Afghans: DG ISPR

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that around 80% of suicide bombers involved in attacks in Pakistan are Afghan nationals.

Speaking in an interview with Arab media on Saturday, the military spokesperson said Pakistan had only one concrete demand from the Afghan Taliban regime: to stop terrorism being carried out against Pakistan from Afghan soil.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Afghan nationals were present in every terrorist formation entering Pakistan from Afghanistan. He added that around 80% of suicide bombers involved in attacks in Pakistan were Afghans.

The DG ISPR said Pakistan retained the complete right to defend itself if the Afghan Taliban regime failed to fulfil its commitments under the Doha Agreement.

He stressed that Pakistan’s demand from Kabul was clear and straightforward. “The Afghan Taliban regime must stop terrorism against Pakistan from Afghan soil,” he said.

Pakistan reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia

During the interview, the DG ISPR also spoke about Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Islamabad’s commitment to the kingdom’s security.

He said Pakistan was practically present in Saudi Arabia to assist the country and was also standing with it diplomatically.

“Pakistan is prepared to go to any extent to protect the Holy Mosques and Saudi Arabia,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi security was unconditional.

According to the military spokesperson, the commitment was rooted in a longstanding, historic and unbreakable relationship between the two countries.

He said there should be no doubt that the Pakistani people stood shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia. Pakistan, he added, was prepared to defend the kingdom against any aggression.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry also referred to the existing agreements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, including the Makkah defence agreement and the strategic mutual defence agreement.

He said Pakistan was honouring its commitments under these agreements. The country’s political and military leadership, he added, remained in continuous contact with the Saudi leadership.

The DG ISPR said the Islamabad memorandum of understanding had been reached after Pakistan’s sustained, tireless and sincere diplomatic efforts.

No talks with terrorists

Speaking about the security situation in Balochistan, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said terrorist groups did not enjoy public support in the province.

He said the militants were attempting to impose their ideology through the use of force and weapons.

The DG ISPR also alleged that India was sponsoring terrorism and that social media operations were being run from outside the country.

He reiterated that the state’s policy regarding militant groups was clear.

“There will be no dialogue with terrorists,” he said, maintaining that Pakistan would continue to take measures to protect its national security.

The remarks come amid heightened security concerns and continued allegations by Pakistani authorities regarding the presence and activities of militant groups operating from Afghan territory.