The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), is the media and public relations wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It broadcasts and coordinates military news and information to the country's civilian media and the civic society. The ISPR directorate serves the purpose of aiming to strengthen public relations with the civic society, and civil society through interacting with the media. The directorate also works as the principle voice of the Pakistan's military, with its director-general serving as the official spokesperson of the armed forces.

Overview

The Directorate of the Inter–Services Public Relations (ISPR) was established in 1949 with army colonel Shahbaz Khan becoming its first director-general. The ISPR operates as a unified public relations system for the Pakistan Armed Forces, which includes army, air force, navy, and marines. The ISPR manages the public relations requirement of the armed forces, and is staffed with the combined personnel of the military along with civilian officers. It plays an important role for gathering a national support for the armed forces at the public level. The ISPR also aims to strengthen support for the military's assigned contingency operations while undermining the perceived stature of the adversary. In views of US army colonel John Adache, the ISPR interfaces between the armed forces, civil media, and the civic society. Furthermore, the ISPR also formulates the media policy of the unified armed forces, and aims to safeguard the military interests of the armed forces from negative sentiment. The ISPR also monitors international and domestic media, surveying the nature of international reporting regarding Pakistan's military issues. On a regular basis, the ISPR broadcasts televised news regarding the strategic operations in foreign and domestic areas. In Pakistan's military staff appointments and assignments, the ISPR is often perceived as one of the most prestigious directorates of Pakistan Armed Forces. Its executive authority, a director-general, is a chief military spokesperson of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Reorganization

In 2024, the ISPR underwent reorganization and expansion. Two two-star Major-general rank officers were appointed in the ISPR to handle foreign or strategic communication and domestic media. This will be the first time that ISPR will be permanently headed by an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General instead of Major General, and for the first time, two Major Generals will be appointed in ISPR.

Operations

ISPR is responsible for garnering national support for the armed forces as well as strengthening their resolve to accomplish the assigned mission while undermining the will of the adversary. It also acts as an interface between the armed forces, the media and the public. It formulates much of the media policy of Pakistan's military, safeguards the armed forces from negative influences and monitors both international and domestic media.

Principal media network

On regular basis, the ISPR release televised press releases on the ongoing military exercises, and notifies the civilian media about the ingenious strategic arsenal testings. Apart from functioning as the public relations body of the armed forces, the ISPR handles exclusive dissemination of information regarding Pakistan's ongoing military contingency operations.

Media productions

Since the 1990s, the ISPR has been producing mini-series, drama, and films on military fiction. The first ISPR drama was Sunehray Din which was released in 1991. Some of the most famous dramas of ISPR include Ehd-e-Wafa, Waar, Shahpar, Ek Thi Marium and Sinf-e-Aahan. ISPR also made its first animated series Team Muhafiz in collaboration with Geo Entertainment which broadcast in 2022. Apart from dramas, the ISPR has also released many songs with the first one being titled "Rang Layega Shaheedon Ka Lahoo". ISPR has also released documentary films with the one being The Glorious Resolve, released in 2018. ISPR is well known for its media productions.

Controversies

According to journalist Talat Hussain. there are allegations that ISPR restricted press freedom within the country. It's claimed that ISPR has instructed national media to censor certain figures or events and even shutting down transmission channels. The ISPR has been accused of exerting influence over media channels during the 2024 Pakistani general election to censor the portrayal of Imran Khan.

List of ISPR Directors General