Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday stressed the importance of good governance, saying it was “extremely important” for Pakistan’s security.

“Good governance is essential for Pakistan’s security. If the issues are not being resolved, it means that there should be done something for good governance,” the ISPR DG said while addressing a press conference on counterterrorism and security.

According to the ISPR DG, the country’s challenges cannot not be resolved without ensuring good governance in the country.

On Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks, the ISPR DG declined to comment, calling them personal opinion of the former. The ISPR chief said the National Action Plan consisted of 14 points on which all political parties were in agreement.

The military’s spokesperson was referring to Naqvi’s remarks that Pakistan’s existing governance system had collapsed and was no longer capable of addressing the country’s challenges, calling for administrative reforms, including the creation of new administrative units.

“The system we are living under has collapsed. Problems cannot be solved through it […] If this system continues, we will still be sitting here 10 years from now discussing the same issues […] You have to move towards administrative units. Call them provinces or give them any other name,” Naqvi told an event in Islamabad on Thursday.

The ISPR chief urged politicians in the country to provide awareness to the people instead of confusion.

The military spokesperson said that police and security forces could not win any war without the support of the public, adding that efforts against terrorism and smuggling networks would continue.

He said that the country’s issues could be resolved according to the Constitution and that public opinion should be taken into account.

Lt Gen Chaudhry said that if citizens were satisfied with governance, it was a positive sign, but if they were not, change should be pursued through constitutional means.

“If good governance requires an administrative reset, then let it happen,” he said, adding that work was also ongoing on improving governance-related matters.

Military rules out any talks with terrorists

Lt Gen Chaudhry ruled out any talks with terrorists, rejecting the false impression of deteriorating security situation in Balochistan.

He said that some of the elite and Sardars (tribal leaders) in Balochistan did not want children from poor families to progress.

“We will not talk to you; we will talk to the people of Balochistan,” he added.

The ISPR chief said that Pakistan was not a hard state if the Constitution and law were not equal for every citizen.

“Are we a hard state? No,” the DG ISPR said, adding that a hard state meant one where the Constitution and law were equal for everyone.

“It [hard state] does not mean the military is running the state,” he said.