On August 5, several news outlets and social media posts reported that Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had made remarks about Field Marshal Munir having no plans to become president, and future military action against India could ‘start from the east’ in an interview with the Economist. Several videos, claiming to be part of the interview were also posted on social media.

Claim:
Following the August 3 publication of The Economist article titled “Pakistan’s army chief is cosying up to Donald Trump” several Twitter accounts shared a video claiming it shows DG ISPR giving an exclusive interview to The Economist.

Fact:
The video being circulated is not from any interview with The Economist. It is actually a clip from a May 2025 segment aired by Sky News.

The video shows the spokesman for Pakistan’s Armed Forces has vowed a “swift and assured response” to India if it violates the ceasefire with Pakistan.

Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told Sky News: “Anyone who tries to violate our territory and integrity and sovereignty, our response will be brutal.” The footage has been misrepresented and taken out of context to suggest a connection with the recent Economist article.

While the written article does quote DG ISPR, including his dismissal of rumors about General Asim Munir becoming president as “completely baseless” and a warning that “This time we will start from the east … Pakistan would strike deep inside India,” there is no evidence that these quotes were given in a recorded or televised interview as claimed by several social media posts and even TV channels.

Verdict:
Misleading: The video is from Sky News (May 2025) and is being falsely linked to The Economist article “Pakistan’s army chief is cosying up to Donald Trump.” While the article quotes DG ISPR, there is no evidence of a fresh exclusive interview, and the circulating video is unrelated.