Why the propaganda against Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor?

After a major reshuffle in Pakistan Military, a negative propaganda has been created on the appointment of Director General Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR).

Earlier on Thursday, Major General Asif Ghafoor was transferred from the post of DG ISPR and was promoted as General Officer Commander (GCO) Okara and Major General Babar Iftikhar was appointed as the new DG ISPR.

What was the propaganda and Who Created it?

Major General Asif Ghafoor was working effectively against the Indian lobby present in Pakistan which was causing damage to the strategies of the country’s enemies.

If you remember, Major General Asif Ghafoor said that our armed forces will give a surprise to India. It was then revealed that Indian personnel, Abhinandan, was arrested after our Air Force shot down two Indian fighting jets. 

After his transfer, the Indian lobby and enemies of the state have been creating illogical propaganda on social media against the former DGISPR. They claimed that the removal of Major General Asif Ghafoor was due to their efforts, which is completely untrue.

Can anyone really claim that Major General Asif Ghafoor didn’t perform well in his tenure? 

Answer to illogical propaganda

The newly appointed Director General Inter Services Public Relation, Major General Babar Iftikhar had answered all the critics in a Tweet and said, “Those who are celebrating today don’t know how Pakistan Army operates.”

He said that the Pakistan Army works with a proper structure and Major General Asif Ghafoor had completed his 3-year tenure as DG ISPR. Consequently, he has been promoted.

DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar also thanked Major General Asif Ghafoor for his services as DG ISPR in his 3-year tenure and conveyed his best wishes to him for his new role.

A Quick Look at Major General Asif Ghafoor’s services

 Major General Asif Ghafoor was appointed as the DG ISPR in December 2016. He replaced Lt General Asim Bajwa.

According to the Military’s website, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor was commissioned on September 9, 1998, in 87 Medium Regiment. He is a graduate of Command and Staff College Quetta, Command and Staff College Bandung (Indonesia) and National Defense University Islamabad. He holds a master’s degree in strategic studies.

He has commanded his parent unit in Operation Al-Mizan, Artillery Brigade at the Line of Control, Infantry Brigade on the eastern border and a Division at Swat, Malakand.

The general has also held various staff, instructional and command assignments including Brigade Major Infantry Brigade, Assistant Military Secretary MS Branch, GHQ, Directing Staff Command & Staff College Quetta and Director Military Operations in Military Operations Directorate, GHQ.  

Who is Major General Babar Iftikhar?

According to the Inter Services Public Relations website, Major General Babar Iftikhar is a graduate of the Command & Staff College, Quetta, the National Defense University Islamabad and the Royal Jordanian Command & Staff College. 

The newly appointed Director General ISPR was commissioned in 6 Lancers in March 1990 and holds vast experience in the areas of command, staff and instruction. ‘

He has rendered major services as a brigadier in the Armoured Brigades division. He has previously held the post of Brigade Staff of an infantry division in North Waziristan (Operation Zarb-e-Azb). He has also served Chief of Staff at the Corps Headquarters.”

Major General Babar Iftikhar has also served on the faculty of Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul and National Defense University Islamabad. Before being appointed DG ISPR, he was commanding the Armoured Division.