Pakistan Army's Islamic Underpinnings: Director General Spells Out Motto and Faith

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR) Director General, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif, clarified the army's training and operations, stating that Islam is an integral part of the military's faith and training. This has been met with criticism, as the Pakistan army's support for jihad is seen as equivalent to the actions of extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammed. Lt Gen Sharif mentioned that the army's operation, 'Bunyanum Marsoos, aims to create a "steel wall" of fighters for Allah.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif stated that Islam is part of the Pakistan army's training, driving its operations and faith.
  • The army's motto, "Iman, Taqwa, Jihad fiSabilillah (faith, piety, struggle in the name of God)," reflects its commitment to jihad.
  • The Pakistan army's support for jihad is seen as equivalent to extremist groups, due to their actions in infiltrating terrorists into Kashmir and targeting civilians and armed forces.
  • The army's operation, 'Bunyanum Marsoos, aims to create a formidable "steel wall" of fighters for Allah.
  • Lt Gen Sharif's father, Mahmood Sultan Bashiruddin, has been linked to extremist organizations and was associated with Osama bin Laden.
  • Air Marshal A K Bharti, director general of air operations, reminded the adversary of a befitting reply for any transgression, reaffirming the pause in hostilities agreed upon by the two countries.

Statistics:

  • No specific statistics were mentioned in the article.

Sources:

  • TIMES NEWS NETWORK New Delhi: "Pakistan Army's Islamic Underpinnings: Director General Spells Out Motto and Faith"
  • Social media sources, extracts from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission records, and citations of Lt Gen Sharif's father's associations