On 8 May 2024, during a press conference in his capacity as DG ISPR, Chaudhry responded to inquiries regarding the potential for dialogue with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by stating that "If some political mindset, leader or clique attacks its own army, causes rifts between the army and its people, insults the nation’s martyrs and issues threats and hatches propaganda, then there can be no dialogue with them." He also remarked that the "there is only one way back for such political anarchists that PTI asks for an earnest apology in front of the nation and promises that it will forgo politics of hate and adopt constructive politics".[8] On the same day, PTI termed Chaudhry's press conference as "‘a pack of lies’ and ‘full of contradictions and frustration". PTI also stated that the statements made by Chaudhry would deteriorate relations between the state and its people.[9]
The following day, Imran Khan declined to offer an apology.[10]Leader of the Opposition in the National AssemblyOmar Ayub Khan also dismissed Chaudhry's press conference and questioned his authority to engage in political negotiations. Ayub further stated that Chaudhry appeared "confused and lacked narrative."[11] On 10 May, PTI also labeled Chaudhry's press conference as "unconstitutional and illegal."[12]
He held several press briefings in which he presented Pakistan's official narrative, emphasizing civilian casualties and damage to religious sites.[14] Chaudhry said that Pakistan would respond at a time and place of its choosing.[15]
On 8 May 2025, India said its air defenses had intercepted Pakistani drones and missiles targeting several Indian cities, including Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab. Amritsar is the seat of the Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest shrine. In a subsequent press conference, Chaudhry instead accused India itself of launching ballistic missiles at Amritsar. He claimed India was targeting its own Sikh population and expressed sympathies for "Sikhs and minorities" in India.[16] India denied the allegation of targeting its own cities as a "deranged fantasy" and called it an attempt to stoke internal religious division in the midst of the conflict.[17]
Chaudhry further accused India of launching drone strikes and ballistic missile attacks into Afghanistan immediately after targeting Amritsar. This was denied by both the Taliban government of Afghanistan and the Indian government.[18][19]
Chaudhry was awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat following his engagements in the warfare.[20]
Criticism
During the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, Chaudhry referred to Hafiz Abdur Rauf, who had led funeral prayers for alleged militants killed in India’s Operation Sindoor, as a "religious leader" and "family man."[21] Media outlets including NDTV and Deccan Herald reported that Rauf had previously been designated by the United States and United Nations as a senior member of Lashkar-e-Taiba and former head of the banned Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation.[22][23][24]
Following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the 2025 Pahalgam attack, Hindustan Times and India Today reported that Chaudhry stated, "If you block our water, we will choke your breath," during a speech at a Pakistani university.[25][26] Afghan politician Mariam Solaimankhil told India Today that the phrasing resembled earlier statements made by Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed.[27]
On 23 May 2025, ARY News reported that Chaudhry described human rights activist Mahrang Baloch as a "terrorist-proxy" and urged media outlets to expose what he called her "sinister face."[28] In response, Dawn reported that Farhatullah Babar, head of the Pakistan People’s Party Human Rights Committee, cautioned against labeling rights activists as terrorists without due process.[29] Baloch herself told Dawn that the allegations were "unsubstantiated" and said the press conference had been misused to misrepresent her stance.[30]
12Farhat Abbas Shah[ur]. "ہمارے جنرل احمد شریف"[Our General Ahmed Sharif]. Nawaiwaqt (in Urdu). 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-12-09. ایک مجاہد ، سائینسدان ، انجین آر اور دینی سکالر سلطان بشیرالدین محمود کے بیٹے جنرل احمد شریف ایک بلند پایہ فوجی افسر ہیں، جن کی شخصیت میں عزم، دیانت داری اور محنت کا جذبہ نمایاں ہے۔[General Ahmed Sharif, son of a mujahideen, scientist, engineer and religious scholar Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, is a high-ranking military officer, whose personality is characterized by determination, integrity and hard work.]
12Hamza, Amir (10 May 2024). "پاکستان کو آگے بڑھنے دو"[Let Pakistan move forward]. Roznama Dunya. Retrieved 2025-12-09. کئی سال قبل اسلام آباد میں ایک تقریب میں میری ملاقات سابق ڈائریکٹر جنرل پاکستان اٹامک انرجی کمیشن سلطان بشیرالدین محمود (ستارہ امتیاز) سے ہوئی۔ آپ ڈاکٹر عبدالقدیر خان مرحوم کے اہم ساتھی تھے جنہوں نے پاکستان کو ایٹمی ملک بنایا۔ اسی وقت مجھے پتا چلا کہ ان کے ایک بیٹے پاک فوج میں میجر ہیں۔ چند روز قبل ان کی پریس کانفرنس سنی تو وہ شکوہ کر رہے تھے کہ ایک سال گزرنے کے بعد بھی نو مئی کے ملزمان کو سزا نہیں ملی۔ اب وہ ماشاء اللہ میجر جنرل بن چکے ہیں۔ میجر جنرل احمد شریف چودھری آئی ایس پی آر کے ڈی جی ہیں۔ ان کے والد سلطان بشیر محمود نے قرآن مجید کے ابتدائی حصے کی سائنسی تفسیر بھی کی ہے۔ ان کی دیگر کتب میں قیامت اور حیات بعد الموت انتہائی اہم ہے۔[Many years ago, at a function in Islamabad, I met former Director General of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood (Sitara-e-Imtiaz). He was an important associate of the late Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan who made Pakistan a nuclear power. At that time, I came to know that one of his sons is a Major in the Pakistan Army. A few days ago, when I heard his press conference, he was complaining that even after a year, the accused of May 9th were not punished. Now, Mashallah, he has become a Major General. Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is the DG of ISPR. His father Sultan Bashir Mahmood has also written a scientific commentary on the opening part of the Holy Quran. Among his other books, "Doomsday and Life After Death" is very important.]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) 
Sitara-e-Basalat 
Pakistan 
Pakistan Army 
Lieutenant General