In an unprecedented move, the ISI chief made an appearance in today's press conference the first time in Pakistan's history.
"I am aware that you are surprised by my presence," he said, adding that he had appeared for his institution and the officers who were sacrificing their lives. "As chief of this agency, I cannot remain silent when they are targeted for no reason." Lt Gen Anjum added.
Lt Gen Anjum said the nation had given him the responsibility to take secrets to the grave. "But when needed and when necessary, I will bring those facts to light".
Talking about the officers martyred in Lasbela, he said that they were mocked. Therefore, it is highly condemnable to speak without proof, he said, adding that words like "neutral and janwar" were meant to illustrate that the institution was indulging in sedition.
He added that these words were also being used because the institution refused to bend to an "unconstitutional and illegal act".
"Last year, the establishment decided that it would restrict itself to its constitutional role [...] The army had an intense discussion and we reached the conclusion that the country's benefit lies in us restricting ourselves to our constitutional role and remaining out of politics."
He said that in March, there was "a lot of pressure" but the institution and the army chief decided to limit the military to its constitutional role.
If Gen Bajwa wanted, he could have spent the last few months of his tenure comfortably but he made sacrificed in the country's best interest, he said, adding that the army chief's family was also targeted.
Lt Gen Anjum also made the revelation that in March, Gen Bajwa was given a "lucrative offer" for an extension in his tenure. "It was made in front of me. He rejected it because he wanted the institution to move forward from a controversial role to a constitutional role."
Seemingly talking about former premier Imran, the ISI chief said that while citizens had the right to their opinion, why did "you praise him so much in the past if he was a traitor?"
Director General ISPR. Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar said that the press conference is being done at a time when it is "important to present the facts correctly" so "fact, fiction and opinion" can be differentiated. He also shared that the military's media wing has informed PM Shehbaz Sharif about the press conference.
The head of the military's media wing said that there is a need to examine the "under which a false narrative has been made and people have been misled".
"Institutions, leadership and even the chief of army staff has been accused without a reason to create an extraordinary chaotic situation," said the DG ISPR.
Lt Gen Iftikhar said that Sharif's death was a "very tragic incident". He called the senior journalist an icon of Pakistani journalism, a martyr’s son and a martyr’s brother and a serving officer’s brother-in-law. His programmes will be seen as a role model for journalists, he added.
"Since Arshad was an investigative journalist, he also looked into the cypher issue when it surfaced," shared DG ISPR. He also highlighted that the journalist had also interviewed the then prime minister Imran Khan on the issue, adding that at the time it was claimed that he was shown the document.
"Facts linked with the cypher and Arshad Sharif’s death need to be found. So there is no ambiguity left in this regard," said the DG ISPR.
The DG ISPR said that the facts linked with the cypher and Arshad Sharif’s death need to be found, so there is no ambiguity.
The spokesperson of the military also shared that the army chief has discussed the cypher with the PTI chief at Kamra, adding that Imran Khan had said it himself that the document "was not a big deal".
