DG ISPR: Authority to Declare Jihad Rests Solely with the State

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has asserted that the exclusive right to declare jihad belongs to the state, clarifying that “no individual or group possesses such authorization.”

Lt Gen Chaudhry articulated this point during a recent engagement with members representing diverse religious and social sectors at an event held in Karachi on Sunday. This declaration follows just over a month after a period of military confrontation involving Pakistan and India. Since the cessation of hostilities, senior officers from Pakistan’s armed forces have actively participated in a series of meetings with individuals from various societal backgrounds.

During the assembly, attendees from religious and social organizations voiced their support for the military’s chief spokesperson, expressing strong unity with the armed forces. They acknowledged the interaction with the ISPR head as highly beneficial and expressed a desire for similar engagements in the future.

Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized that all religious adherents are equal citizens within Pakistan, entitled to complete constitutional protections. He stated, “National cohesion is sustained through equality and mutual respect.”

He further commented that prejudice rooted in ethnicity or language stems from lack of understanding, adding that “all Pakistanis share equal status.” He affirmed, “If we maintain our unity, no adversary can overcome us.”

In response to an inquiry, the senior military spokesperson stated that India is providing assistance to terrorist elements operating within Pakistan, and the Pakistan Army is countering the enemy using contemporary warfare strategies.

The conflict last month, spanning 87 hours and involving cross-border engagements from both sides, marked the most significant confrontation between the two nuclear-armed nations in recent decades. This clash resulted in the deaths of 40 civilians and 13 members of the armed forces in Pakistan.

Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos after the downing of six Indian Air Force aircraft, which included three Rafales, in response to Indian acts of aggression.

Following several days of cross-border attacks, the conflict between the two nuclear powers concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire facilitated by the United States.