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Athar Abbas

Major General (retired) Athar Abbas is a Pakistani military officer and former diplomat who served as Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, from January 2008 to June 2012. Commissioned in October 1976 into the Armoured Corps through the 54th PMA Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, he rose through the ranks, commanding an armoured regiment, brigade, and division, including the 1st Armoured Division in Kharian from 2005 to 2007. His tenure as DG ISPR coincided with key counter-terrorism operations, such as those in the tribal areas and against militant groups. Holding master's degrees in War Studies and Strategic Studies from Quaid-e-Azam University, Abbas also served on the faculty of the Command and Staff College in Quetta and the National Defence University in Islamabad. After retiring in June 2012, he was appointed Pakistan's Ambassador to Ukraine, serving from 2015 to 2017 amid ongoing defence cooperation between the two nations. Post-diplomatic career, he has engaged in Track-II diplomacy, particularly on Pakistan-India relations, and lectures on national security, counter-terrorism, and civil-military dynamics.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Early Years

Athar Abbas was born into a with deep roots in education and public discourse in . His father, Mirza Abid Abbas, was a prominent educationist who served as secretary of the Hyderabad Board of Secondary Education in and passed away in 2002. Abbas has four brothers, three of whom established careers in : Mazhar Abbas, who headed the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists; Azhar Abbas; and another sibling active in media circles. This familial emphasis on intellectual and communicative professions contrasted with Abbas's own trajectory toward . Details of Abbas's childhood and formative remain limited in public records, but he entered the as part of the 54th PMA Long Course, reflecting early preparation for a commissioned role. He joined the in 1976, marking the transition from civilian upbringing to professional military training.

Academic and Military Training

Athar Abbas underwent initial military training at the (PMA) in Kakul, , where he was commissioned as a in the in October 1976 upon completion of the 54th PMA Long Course. This two-year program emphasized , tactics, , and , preparing cadets for regimental service in Pakistan's mechanized forces. He later advanced his professional military education as a graduate of the in , which focuses on operational planning, staff duties, and joint operations for mid-level officers. Abbas also completed training at the Armed Forces Staff College (AFSC) in , enhancing his skills in multinational staff procedures and strategic coordination. Further, he attended the Armed Forces War Course and a senior-level program at the in , covering advanced warfare strategy and policy. In parallel with his military education, Abbas pursued academic qualifications, earning master's degrees in and from Quaid-e-Azam University in . These programs provided analytical frameworks for , geopolitics, and defense policy, complementing his operational training with theoretical depth.

Military Career

Enlistment and Initial Service

Athar Abbas entered the (PMA) as a in the 54th PMA Long Course, completing his officer training at Kakul. He was commissioned as a in October 1976 into the Armoured Corps, specializing in operations with armored units. This branch assignment positioned him for roles involving mechanized warfare, including command of tank troops and reconnaissance elements in frontline regiments. During his early service, Abbas served in various armoured formations, gaining experience in tactical maneuvers and unit leadership within the ' structure, which emphasizes mobility and firepower in Pakistan's defense doctrine. His initial postings likely included regimental duties in key armored divisions, contributing to the ' readiness amid regional security challenges in the late 1970s and 1980s, though specific unit details from this period remain limited in public records.

Key Commands and Promotions

Abbas was commissioned as a in the of the in October 1976, following his completion of the 54th PMA Long Course at the in Kakul. Over the subsequent decades, he progressed through successive promotions, holding command positions at multiple levels within armoured formations, including an armoured regiment and an armoured brigade. In June 2005, Abbas attained the rank of and took command of an armoured division stationed in , , where he served until June 2007. This appointment marked a pinnacle in his operational command experience prior to his transition to and media roles. He was subsequently passed over for promotion to and retired from active service in June 2012 upon reaching the mandatory superannuation age.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (2008–2012)

Athar Abbas assumed the role of Director General of (ISPR) on January 15, 2008, replacing Waheed Arshad. In this capacity, he acted as the chief spokesperson for the , managing media communications on operational updates, counter-terrorism efforts, and responses to international incidents amid heightened militancy in northwestern . Abbas's tenure coincided with major military offensives against militants, including Operation Rah-e-Rast in Valley launched in May 2009. He provided regular briefings on the operation's progress, reporting on May 30, 2009, that U.S.-supplied arms stolen from Afghan forces were being used by militants in and FATA. On June 6, 2009, he announced that the army would maintain an indefinite presence in and adjacent areas to consolidate gains and prevent militant resurgence. By May 10, 2010, Abbas asserted that no fighters remained in , countering media reports of their re-emergence. In response to cross-border threats, Abbas highlighted foreign militants' involvement in Swat as early as February 2009 and noted regrouping efforts by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan leader Baitullah Mehsud's successors in Afghan provinces like Kunar by January 2012. He also addressed the May 2009 in South Waziristan, where security forces reported 16 soldiers killed, including 12 near the Afghan border. These communications aimed to shape public perception of military successes while justifying prolonged troop deployments, such as the six-month extension in announced in September 2010. Abbas managed high-profile crises, including the U.S. raid on May 2, 2011, that killed in . He dismissed WikiLeaks reports alleging ISI contacts with bin Laden, emphasizing their lack of authenticity in February 2012. The November 26, 2011, NATO airstrikes on the Salala checkpost, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, prompted sharp rebukes from Abbas; he rejected the U.S. probe on December 23, 2011, as deficient in facts and, on , 2011, deemed 's inadequate, demanding of any Pakistani-initiated fire. On December 3, 2011, he described the repeated targeting of the post, despite prior notifications to , as incomprehensible. His four-and-a-half-year term concluded in June 2012, when Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa succeeded him; Abbas had been superseded for further promotion and retired thereafter. During his leadership, ISPR enhanced its media engagement amid expanding domestic press freedom and international scrutiny of Pakistan's counter-terrorism role.

Role in National Security Operations

Counter-Terrorism Campaigns in Swat and FATA

As Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations from September 2008 to 2012, Major General Athar Abbas served as the chief military spokesperson during Pakistan's intensified counter-terrorism efforts against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in the Valley and (FATA). In this capacity, he conducted regular media briefings to update on operational progress, counter militant , and justify military actions following the collapse of peace agreements, such as the February 2009 deal that allowed TTP leader Maulana Fazlullah to expand control. Abbas emphasized the necessity of force after militants violated terms by advancing into Buner and districts, stating that the Taliban's refusal to withdraw required direct intervention to halt abuses against locals. In , Abbas announced the launch of Operation Rah-e-Rast on May 15, 2009, targeting TTP strongholds in and surrounding areas after initial phases under . He reported street fighting commencing in Matta and , with infantry engaging in urban combat, and warned that the offensive could proceed "painfully slow" due to 10,000-20,000 trapped civilians and entrenched militants. By May 23, 2009, Abbas detailed the clearance of 's key phases, including the killing of 17 militants such as commander Usman (alias "Butcher"), and by May 30, declared army control over the city with 1,217 militants killed and 79 captured, including foreign fighters. He projected completion within two months, noting 81 security personnel killed in the process. Abbas later highlighted 's success as a model reviewed by U.S. forces, amid reports of over 1,900 Pakistani troops killed and 5,000 injured across eight years of operations against extremism, with 4,000 militants eliminated. In FATA, Abbas briefed on operations against TTP networks, including preparations for South following Swat's gains. He announced Operation Rah-e-Nijat's start on October 17, 2009, as a three-pronged to dismantle TTP infrastructure after Baitullah Mehsud's death, with forces blocking all entry and exit points and reporting 60 militants killed initially in fierce clashes. Abbas described the offensive as aimed at flushing out foreign-backed elements, amid claims of stolen U.S. arms and Afghan border support fueling insurgents in FATA and . In Orakzai Agency, he confirmed major clearances by 2010, though stabilization continued, as part of broader efforts securing population centers in agencies like South . Abbas's briefings also addressed public perception, promoting military narratives through media and initiatives like a 2011 army-produced set in to highlight Taliban atrocities and build support for operations. He refuted exaggerated militant claims, such as unverified border incidents, and stressed border security with 1,046 checkposts manned by 100,000 troops to curb external interference. These communications occurred amid heightened terrorism, including the October 2009 GHQ attack, underscoring the operations' role in national defense.

Handling of U.S.-Pakistan Tensions and Bin Laden Raid

During the U.S. raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in on May 2, 2011, , as Director General of ISPR, publicly emphasized that the operation constituted a unilateral violation of 's , with no notification to Pakistani authorities. He stated that Pakistani air defenses had detected unidentified helicopters but were unable to respond effectively before the U.S. forces departed, framing the incident as an infringement on protocols rather than evidence of . consistently denied allegations of or sheltering by Pakistani institutions, rejecting U.S. insinuations of ISI or ties to bin Laden's network as part of orchestrated campaigns against Pakistan's security apparatus. In the aftermath, Abbas rebutted specific reports linking Pakistani elements to the raid, including denials of arrests involving a major or CIA informants who allegedly aided U.S. intelligence in locating . He also dismissed claims of intelligence failures beyond systemic gaps, while countering narratives of deliberate concealment by asserting that the military's focus remained on ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. Regarding wreckage from a crashed U.S. during the operation, Abbas refuted assertions that Pakistan had shared debris with , maintaining that no foreign access was granted. Amid escalating U.S.-Pakistan tensions post-raid, Abbas addressed the U.S. suspension of $800 million in military aid announced on July 10, 2011, declaring that Pakistan's armed forces did not depend on such assistance to sustain operations against militants and could proceed independently in the war on terror. He urged the U.S. to respect Pakistan's constraints in counter-terrorism cooperation, warning that unilateral actions like the Abbottabad incursion undermined mutual trust. Tensions peaked further after the November 26, 2011, NATO airstrikes on Pakistani border posts in Salala, which killed 24 soldiers; Abbas labeled the two-hour attack as "indiscriminate, highly callous, and irresponsible" unprovoked aggression, contributing to Pakistan's closure of NATO supply routes and demands for accountability. These statements positioned the Pakistan Army as defending national interests against perceived U.S. overreach, amid broader diplomatic fallout including reduced intelligence sharing.

Post-Retirement Engagements

Public Commentary on Security Issues

After retiring from the in 2012, Abbas has actively engaged in public discourse on matters, delivering lectures and providing commentary on topics such as counter-terrorism operations, civil-military relations, and regional threats. He has emphasized the importance of decisive military action against internal militants, as evidenced by his 2014 endorsement of General Raheel Sharif's decision to launch operations against the Tehrik-i- Pakistan (TTP), stating that Sharif "made the right decision to go after the ." In a July 2014 with Dawn, Abbas critiqued delays in launching a full-scale operation in North Waziristan, attributing former Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's reluctance during 2010-2011 to fears of backlash from the religious right and political instability, noting that Kayani anticipated being labeled a "killer of " for targeting militants. He argued that such operations were essential despite domestic opposition, reflecting his view that imperatives should override short-term political risks. Abbas has also addressed external threats, advocating for dialogue with in non-military forums as a strategic necessity for amid ongoing tensions. In February 2023, he stated that "dialogue with on levels other than that of the military establishment was 'a need of '," highlighting the potential for de-escalation beyond Kashmir-focused posturing. His commentary often underscores the interplay of internal militancy and border security, drawing from his experience in during operations in and the (FATA). In media appearances permitted by the since 2019, Abbas has served as a defense analyst, discussing Pak-US relations strained by strikes and counter-terrorism cooperation, as well as the evolution of threats post-Operation Zarb-e-Azb. These interventions prioritize empirical assessments of operational successes and failures over partisan narratives.

Lectures and Strategic Analysis

Following his retirement from the in June 2012, Major General Athar Abbas has delivered lectures and contributed strategic analyses on , counter-terrorism, and regional geopolitics, often emphasizing the interplay between military operations, media influence, and policy decisions. Drawing on his experience as Director General of (ISPR), Abbas has positioned himself as a commentator who critiques operational delays and advocates for decisive action against internal threats, while highlighting Pakistan's capabilities in asymmetric domains like . In a , analyzed the Pakistan Army's reluctance to launch a full-scale offensive in North against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants prior to 2014, attributing it to then-Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's concerns over potential backlash from religious and their sympathizers within ranks. He argued that this indecision prolonged insurgent entrenchment, resulting in higher casualties—estimated at over 35,000 civilian and 3,500 deaths from between 2001 and 2014—and delayed the eventual , which displaced 1.9 million people but dismantled key militant networks. contended that earlier intervention could have mitigated these losses, reflecting a strategic preference for preemptive kinetic operations over negotiated truces with groups like the TTP, which he viewed as inherently unreliable due to their ideological commitments. Abbas has also addressed media's role in shaping strategic narratives. During a lecture on and in April 2017, he urged South Asian outlets, including Pakistani and Indian , to avoid inflammatory war rhetoric that escalates tensions, citing examples from the 2016 and incidents where sensational coverage hindered de-escalation efforts. He advocated for responsible that prioritizes factual reporting over to support diplomatic resolutions, warning that unchecked amplification of cross-border skirmishes—such as those along the —undermines military deterrence and public resilience. This perspective aligns with his ISPR tenure, where he managed information operations to counter insurgent propaganda, but post-retirement, he extends it to broader regional stability. In contemporary analyses, Abbas has focused on hybrid threats. A May 2025 television segment featured his assessment that holds an advantage over in , crediting integrated cyber, digital, and psychological operations for countering adversarial narratives more effectively, as evidenced by 's handling of during the 2019 Balakot crisis, where official rebuttals neutralized Indian claims of success. He emphasized the need for sustained investment in these domains, projecting that dominance in non-kinetic warfare could offset conventional asymmetries, with 's media ecosystem—bolstered by state-aligned outlets—outpacing 's in real-time narrative control. The Pakistani establishment formally recognized Abbas's expertise in April 2019 by including him among 26 retired officers cleared to provide defense analysis on electronic and print media, enabling structured commentary on evolving threats like TTP resurgence and Taliban dynamics post-2021 U.S. withdrawal. His inputs often stress causal links between policy hesitancy and security erosion, advocating evidence-based strategies rooted in empirical outcomes from past campaigns, such as the 2009 Swat operation that reclaimed 95% of territory from militants through combined ground and air assaults.

Controversies and Criticisms

Accusations of Military Propaganda

During his tenure as Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) from 2008 to 2012, Athar Abbas oversaw the military's media strategy, which included producing content to support public perception of counter-terrorism efforts. In February 2011, ISPR released a television drama serial portraying army operations in Swat Valley, described by BBC correspondent Aleem Maqbool as "thinly disguised... propaganda" intended to woo a skeptical Pakistani public amid ongoing militancy challenges. Abbas frequently dismissed international reports alleging military or ISI complicity with militants or operational shortcomings as fabricated or agenda-driven. For instance, in August 2009, he rejected US claims of al-Qaida plots against Pakistani nuclear facilities as "factually incorrect" and elements of a propaganda effort. Similarly, in July 2011, he labeled Times allegations of army and support for Afghan insurgents as "baseless and mischievous," attributing them to unsubstantiated sources without evidence of Pakistani involvement. These responses drew criticism from some analysts and media outlets, who viewed ISPR's consistent denials—such as refuting claims of military atrocities or exaggerated success metrics in FATA operations—as efforts to control narratives and minimize scrutiny of institutional accountability. countered that such foreign coverage constituted "malicious " aimed at undermining Pakistan's security apparatus, emphasizing ISPR's mandate to provide factual updates amid . No formal investigations or judicial findings substantiated claims of deliberate by personally, though the ISPR's role in media production and rapid rebuttals fueled perceptions of narrative management over unfiltered disclosure.

Political and Media Backlash During Tenure

During Athar Abbas's tenure as Director General of from September 2008 to August 2012, the ISPR faced heightened political and media scrutiny amid major crises, including counter-terrorism operations and deteriorating US-Pakistan ties. Pakistani opposition politicians and media outlets frequently questioned the armed forces' effectiveness and transparency, particularly following high-profile incidents that exposed perceived vulnerabilities. Abbas consistently defended the military through press briefings and statements, rejecting allegations as unfounded while accusing critics of undermining national unity. The raid on May 2, 2011, that killed in triggered widespread domestic backlash against the military establishment. Opposition leaders, including those from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), demanded parliamentary probes into security lapses near a , with some alleging complicity or negligence by the and army. Media reports amplified these claims, fueling public debate over sovereignty violations and intelligence failures. Abbas countered by affirming the armed forces' resolve against terrorism and dismissing conspiracy narratives, while later addressing related interrogations of officers suspected of militant links as internal disciplinary matters with zero tolerance for extremism. In June 2011, amid post-raid tensions, Abbas publicly warned that "unwarranted criticism" of the army by segments of the media constituted a "sinister drive" harming the country's interests during ongoing operations. This reflected ISPR's perception of adversarial coverage, especially as foreign outlets like published reports in July 2011 alleging army and ties to militants; Abbas labeled these "baseless and mischievous," part of a vilifying campaign against Pakistan's security apparatus. The November 26, 2011, NATO airstrikes on the Salala checkpost, killing 24 Pakistani soldiers, intensified political opposition to perceived military acquiescence in foreign incursions. across the spectrum condemned the incident, pressuring the government for retaliation and border closure, while media highlighted lapses in coordination with US-led forces. rejected 's subsequent apology as inadequate, insisting Pakistani troops fired only in self-defense and no casualties resulted from their response, aligning ISPR with the national sentiment of betrayal.

Personal Life

Family and Retirement

Athar Abbas is married and has three children. Three of his brothers are prominent journalists associated with major Pakistani media organizations, including Mazhar Abbas, who has worked for and previously headed the Federal Union of Journalists, and Azhar Abbas, a media executive. Abbas commissioned into the in October 1976 and retired in June 2012 at the rank of after a 36-year career. His retirement followed his tenure as Director General of from September 2008 to June 2012, during which he handled public communications on key national security matters.

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