RAWALPINDI – The Pakistan Army has firmly restated its apolitical stance, making it clear that the military does not engage in discussions with political parties and functions solely under the framework of the Constitution.
In a recent interview with BBC Urdu, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, emphasized that the armed forces communicate only with the state — defined by the Constitution and shaped through democratic consensus.
“We do not talk to political parties. We speak to the state of Pakistan, which exists through political consensus,” he stated. “The army works under that state, regardless of which political party is in power.”
Lt Gen Chaudhry strongly urged all political actors to stop involving the military in partisan matters. He said the armed forces have no political agenda and serve the nation professionally and constitutionally.
He also addressed ongoing disinformation and politically motivated speculation about the military’s role. “It is often falsely claimed that the army interferes in politics or doesn’t perform its duties,” he said. “But during Ma’rakah-e-Haq, did the military not fulfill its responsibilities?”
He reaffirmed that the armed forces remain fully committed to protecting Pakistan’s sovereignty, integrity, and citizens. “Our duty is to serve the people, safeguard the borders, and uphold national security — and that is precisely what we do,” he added.
Lt Gen Chaudhry further questioned why the military is drawn into political narratives during periods of instability. “Why is the army leadership’s name brought up in political crises?” he asked. “That question should be posed to those politicians who use the armed forces to cover for their own failures.”
He concluded by saying that political dialogue is the responsibility of political leaders, and the military must not be politicized under any circumstances.
