Only the state can declare jihad, says DG ISPR

Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that only the state has the authority to declare jihad, not any group or individual.

In an exclusive interview with a German magazine, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry highlighted Pakistan’s policies on refugees, regional security, and counterterrorism efforts. He said Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees for more than four decades, but systematic steps are now being taken for their dignified return. The deadline for evacuation was extended many times on humanitarian grounds, yet credible evidence shows illegal Afghan residents’ involvement in terrorism and serious crimes. He stressed that the original reasons for sheltering Afghans, such as foreign interference and civil war, no longer exist.

On Indian policies, the DG ISPR said that violent incidents in India reflect extremist thinking. He added that Indian state institutions, including serving military officers, are directly linked to terrorist activities in Pakistan, with evidence presented to the global community several times. He urged the international community to play an active role in resolving the Kashmir issue, pointing out that Indian state institutions are heavily influenced by extremist ideologies.

Lieutenant General Chaudhry also said that weapons left behind in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal are now being used by terrorists, a concern already raised by Washington. He underlined Pakistan’s sacrifices as a frontline state against terrorism, noting that many militants killed in Balochistan were previously listed as missing persons.