Enemy trying to dent Pakistan’s image: ISPR chief

The military’s top spokesperson has said enemy has tried to dent Pakistan’s global image and that now it was about time the country improved that image as it has ‘almost’ won a long and testing war against terror.

"Today, when we have almost won the war against terrorism, it is time that we improved Pakistan's perception," Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major Gen Babar Iftikhar said on Saturday while addressing the National Amateur Short Film Festival (NASFF) Awards Ceremony.

"We need to align this perception with Pakistan's reality, which is extremely beautiful and magnificent. Today's festival is a part of such efforts," he added. The DG ISPR said perception is considered a reality in today’s world, and every country strives to build its perception.

“Pakistan faced a prolonged and testing war for two decades. The enemy, besides its efforts to cause us harm through the war, has been attempting to dent the country’s stature and image before the world.”

He said Pakistan is a fortunate as youth makes up more than 60 per cent of its population.

“Why shouldn’t we task the youth – whom we are proud of – with the responsibility of showing the real Pakistan [to the world] alongside enabling them to test their mettle,” Major Gen Babar noted.

He said capable and hardworking young filmmakers produced theme-based short films on various subjects, which will enable building Pakistan's positive image before the world in a highly effective way.

The DG ISPR said Pakistan had been blessed with myriad gifts and talents but it underwent threats of terrorism, in the past decade which had impacted the country's image at the international level.

He said 60% of the country's population consisted of youth and through the NASFF, they had been provided with a platform to express their talents and effectively project the real image of Pakistan.

Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said that they had received participants from 72 universities of the country for this contest and with submission of 2,300 quality short films. He also lauded efforts of the ministry of information for making the event successful.

With additional input from APP