Reports of deal with Nawaz Sharif ‘baseless’: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar on Wednesday dubbed reports of the establishment striking a deal with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as ‘baseless’, adding that people making those claims shouled be asked for evidence.

In response to a question during a press conference, DG ISPR said that one should ask those claiming for evidence and for details on the alleged deal.

He further said that all these speculations were baseless and were nowhere close to reality.

Fencing to protect people not to divide them: DG ISPR

Accepting that there was disruption during the fencing, the military spokesperson underscored that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border would help protect people and not divide them.

The DG ISPR, however, stated that the recent reports of Taliban removing the fencing along the western border were localised incident or two which had been taken up by officials at the highest level of both the countries.

“The fence on the Pak-Afghan border is needed to regulate security, border crossing and trade,” Major General Babar Iftikhar said adding that the blood of Pakistan’s martyrs was spilled in fencing of the border.

“It is a fence of peace. It will be completed and remain [in place],” he maintained.

He further added that 97 per cent of the fencing along the Pak-Afghan border had been completed and also stated that people will be able to cross the border from designated points.

“The process will be eased in coming months,” he elaborated.

He further reviewed that in 2021, 164 watch towers were built along the Pak-Afghan border, 131 along the Pak-Iran border. In total 673 border forts, post and terminals have been built.

“To make border security stable, Pakistan has created 67 new wings have been made in FC Balochistan and FC KP,” he added.