RAWALPINDI – In a sharp rebuke of India’s regional conduct, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir declared India the largest state sponsor of terrorism and called on neighbouring nations to remain alert to its proxy networks.
Addressing the 52nd Common Training Programme, COAS Munir reiterated Pakistan’s intention to maintain brotherly relations with Afghanistan. However, he cautioned against allowing hostile elements — specifically Indian-sponsored terror outfits like Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij — to operate from Afghan soil.
The army chief reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding stance of defiance against Indian aggression. “We have never bowed before India, nor will we ever,” he stated. He linked India’s internal security challenges to its policies of exclusion and religious discrimination, particularly against Muslims.
Speaking about recent hostilities, Munir referenced the April 22 attack in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 individuals. India attributed the assault to Pakistan-backed groups — an accusation Pakistan has denied. In response to unprovoked Indian strikes that claimed over 50 Pakistani lives, including members of the armed forces, Pakistan launched a strong counteroffensive, downing Indian jets and targeting key military sites. The United States eventually brokered a ceasefire.
Field Marshal Munir hailed the Pakistani response in Ma’rakah-e-Haq as a clear and disciplined message against aggression, asserting that the nation stood firm with divine backing.
Turning to internal state matters, he emphasized the role of unity among Pakistan’s institutions. “The civil administration and bureaucracy serve as the bedrock of national stability,” he said, stressing that state harmony depends on cooperative governance.
He also addressed the officers’ moral and professional responsibilities, urging them to prioritize character even above courage and competence. “Every system has flaws,” he acknowledged, “but you must not let these flaws weaken the state.”
Encouraging a strong sense of national identity, he called on the officers to embrace “Pakistaniyat” over ethnic or personal affiliations. “A nation disconnected from its history has no future,” he warned.
The army chief concluded by emphasizing that Pakistan’s progress depends on unwavering public loyalty and a unified bond between the military and the citizenry.