RAWALPINDI: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Tuesday that unity and consensus on matters of national security and narrative is the need of the hour.

The ISPR chief made the remarks during an interaction with a delegation of clerics who comprise the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee (NPAC), led by its Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi.

He emphasised that unity and consensus on matters of national security and narrative are the need of the hour

A comprehensive discussion was held during the meeting on internal security challenges in the context of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Tehreek-i-Taliban Afghanistan, which further strengthened the shared stance of all stakeholders.

Reiterating Islamabad’s principled position on Kashmir and Gaza, the DG ISPR said that supporting oppressed people is Pakistan’s moral responsibility.

Clerics express solidarity with armed forces, reaffirm resolve to counter anti-state propaganda

He stressed that public awareness and a truth-based narrative are decisive tools in countering the enemy’s psychological warfare.

Terming the meeting highly productive, the DG ISPR expressed the hope for further progress in building trust and enhancing practical cooperation in the days ahead.

The NPAC delegation expressed its solidarity with the armed forces of the country and reaffirmed its collective resolve to counter anti-state narratives and hostile propaganda.

Assuring full cooperation in promoting the national narrative, the committee strongly condemned Fitna al Khawarij as well as the Afghan Taliban, stressing that terrorism has no justification under any circumstances.

The NPAC also announced plans to disseminate the message of Islamic unity, social harmony and constitutional equality across the country through mosques and other religious platforms.

Members of the delegation agreed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against hate speech and sectarianism. The committee also proposed enhancing awareness and guidance sessions in mosques, seminaries and universities to effectively promote the state narrative.

The DG ISPR’s meeting comes less than a week after Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir emphasised the army’s zero-tolerance policy towards any threat to national security.

The CDF made the remarks while addressing officers during a visit to Lahore garrison, where he also reaffirmed the military’s resolve to respond to evolving challenges with professionalism and determination.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2026