(Asghar Ali Mubarak)
ISLAMABAD (TNS) Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, while acknowledging the sacrifices of the Pakistani nation in the war against terrorism, has said that we will never allow Fitna-ul-Kharij to impose their outdated thinking on the country. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir addressed young university and college students from all over Pakistan. The Army Chief exhorted the students to excel in the academic field and acquire skills that will enable them to play a positive role in the development of the country. According to the ISPR, the Army Chief also highlighted the impact of the external environment on Pakistan, especially the threat of cross-border terrorism. Army Chief General Asim Munir appreciated the energy, creativity and innovative potential of the youth and said that our youth are the future leaders of Pakistan. He highlighted the role of the Pakistan Army in protecting the sovereignty and geographical integrity of Pakistan. The Army Chief acknowledged the sacrifices of the nation in saving the country from the scourge of terrorism and appreciated the unwavering support of the people for the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. On this occasion, General Asim Munir exhorted the youth to adopt the spirit of ‘Pakistanism’ and said that these elements are fundamental in the intellectual development of the youth. Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, while interacting with students coming from various universities across Pakistan, said that the Pakistani people, especially the youth, have a very strong bond with the Pakistan Army. According to the ISPR statement, the Army Chief said that the attempt of anti-national elements to create a rift between the army and the people has always been and will remain unsuccessful, we are proud of our religion, civilization and traditions. The Army Chief said that the Constitution of Pakistan also begins with Inna Al-Hikam Illallah (Sovereignty belongs to Allah alone), which Sharia and religion are these Fitna Al-Kharijites talking about, we will never allow Fitna Al-Kharijites to impose their outdated thinking on the country. He said that the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are standing like an iron wall against terrorists. It may be recalled that last month, the Army Chief had said during his visit to Peshawar on January 13 that they are standing united against the evil forces, any attempt by those who disturb peace will be given a decisive response. The Army Chief was given a comprehensive briefing on the counter-terrorism operations against Fitna Al-Kharijites and the security situation. The Army Chief had made it clear that the operational capabilities of terrorist organizations inside and outside the borders have been successfully reduced, our forces have relentlessly pursued and eliminated key leaders of terrorists. According to the statement, the Army Chief had made it clear that any attempt to disrupt the peace of the nation will be responded to with decisive and overwhelming force, the enemy may try to sow seeds of discord and fear, the enemy elements will be dealt with an iron fist. The ISPR further said that the Army Chief held separate talks with politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belonging to different political parties, the political figures expressed complete solidarity with the Pakistan Army. General Asim Munir had said that the Pakistan Army will defeat Fitna-ul-Kharij and its facilitators, and those who facilitate and finance nefarious activities against the state will be pursued until they are eliminated. The Army Chief’s statements come at a time when Pakistan, especially Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has witnessed a sharp increase in terrorism-related incidents, with terrorist attacks increasing since the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan broke the ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022. A total of 444 terrorist attacks killed at least 685 members of the security forces, while 2024 proved to be the worst for Pakistan’s civil and military security forces in a decade. During a visit to Wana in South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir had said that the Pakistan Army will defeat Fitna-ul-Kharij and its facilitators, and those who facilitate, finance and carry out nefarious activities against the state will be pursued until they are eliminated. During the visit, the Army Chief was given a detailed briefing on the ongoing counter-terrorism operation. The Army Chief interacted with officers and soldiers and appreciated the steadfastness of the soldiers fighting terrorism. According to the spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, on this occasion, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir had said that the martyrs are the pride of Pakistan and their sacrifices will never be forgotten, the Pakistan Army will ensure the restoration of peace and stability in the country with the support of the nation and in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies. He said that the Pakistan Army will remain steadfast in eliminating all forms of terrorism and extremism. Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir described the soldiers of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies as the real heroes of the nation and said that the bravery of the soldiers of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies affects the entire country. According to the spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, General Syed Asim Munir reiterated the resolve of the Pakistan Army to pursue Fitna-ul-Kharij and said that those who are involved in nefarious activities, facilitating and financially supporting the state will be pursued until they are eliminated. The US Central Command’s journal “Unipath” has paid glowing tribute to Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and acknowledged his professional and leadership skills.
According to the CentCom journal, General Syed Asim Munir will be remembered as a leader whose first commitment was the security, stability and prosperity of Pakistan. The journal article highlights Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir’s leadership, military background, and efforts against counter-terrorism. The article highlights the Army Chief’s stance on terrorism, Fifth Generation Warfare, ability to respond to foreign aggression, and socio-economic initiatives. CentCom journal wrote in its article that General Asim Munir has been striving for the security, stability and prosperity of Pakistan since assuming command in November 2022. The journal praised the army chief’s efforts in counter-terrorism and wrote that ‘under his leadership, extensive military operations have been carried out against extremist groups (Fitna al-Kharij), including 22,409 intelligence-based operations, as a result of which 398 terrorists have been eliminated.’ According to the Centcom journal, General Syed Asim Munir has made it clear that terrorists must surrender to the writ of the state.
The article said that according to General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan will dismantle terrorist networks to protect its citizens. General Syed Asim Munir recognizes the challenges faced by Fifth Generation Warfare and emphasizes the readiness of the army for Pakistan’s sovereignty. Regarding foreign aggression against Pakistan, the journal says that after the missile attacks by Iran, Pakistan, expressing its determination, successfully targeted terrorist hideouts in Iran. According to the article, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir has supported job creation and economic growth by collaborating with initiatives like the Special Investment Facilitation Council and the Green Pakistan Initiative. The journal praised the Army Chief for his minority protection and social initiatives, writing that General Syed Asim Munir emphasizes the need for religious harmony and protection of minorities and condemns acts of intolerance. The journal also praised his military diplomacy, writing that the strengthening of military and diplomatic relations with countries like the United States and participation in joint military exercises with different countries during General Asim Munir’s tenure are commendable steps. The article said that under the leadership of General Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army has played a significant role in dealing with sudden disasters and maintaining order during elections. The journal also praised the Army Chief’s vision for the future and wrote that Asim Munir’s goal is to address Pakistan’s internal challenges and promote professionalism, connectivity and unity among the armed forces and the nation. Regarding the above-mentioned article published in the CentCom journal, defense experts say that this article written about the army chief of any country is an unusual publication, every word of it is based on fact and there is no exaggeration in it. Defense experts say that there is no doubt that General Syed Asim Munir has played his role in taking steps to eradicate terrorism, uniting the nation and improving the economic situation of the country. It makes sense for a country’s army or its chief to be praised in the CentCom journal because this journal holds a place. According to defense experts, Unipath is a professional military journal that is published under the supervision of the United States Central Command CentCom as an international forum for military personnel in the Middle East and Central Asia region. The articles published in this journal are purely military in nature and their importance is recognized.
