Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said on Saturday that history will prove the 2018 general elections were fair and transparent.

During an interaction with Pakistani journalists at the Pakistan High Commission in London, Gen Ghafoor said the armed forces had been accused of manipulating the elections, but that those making such claims should present evidence, if they have any, to prove their allegations.

He said all institutions of the country, including the army and the judiciary, should support the political governments for the sake of national stability. The Pakistan Army desires strengthening of democracy in Pakistan, he added.

"Political differences should not be given precedence over national security," he stressed.

In a tweet, Gen Ghafoor said he had a candid discussion with the journalists on various national security issues.

"Pakistani media abroad has a national responsibility to project positive narrative of Pakistan. Thanks to them for doing their bit," he wrote.

'Pakistan only country open to talks'

Speaking on the subject of Pakistan's relations with its neighbouring countries, the head of the military's media wing said many large countries of the world shy away from sitting down with each other to talk their issues out.

"Pakistan is the only country that meets and talks with all countries including India, China, Afghanistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia," he was quoted as saying.

He said the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is being fenced with the aim of creating harmony between the two countries.

Gen Ghafoor warned India against any misadventure, saying if it (India) "dares to launch a surgical strike inside Pakistan, it will face ten surgical strikes in response", according to Radio Pakistan.

He said other countries should not have any doubts about Pakistan's capability to defend itself.

Pakistan has rendered huge sacrifices in the war against terrorism to make the region and world safer, he said, adding that the country had lost nearly 76,000 lives in the struggle.

"Today's Pakistan is much better than that of the past," he was quoted as saying.

In response to a question, he said it was the political government that had allowed former military dictator retired Gen Pervez Musharraf to leave the country, and that the army had no role in it.