Army Chief Stresses Peaceful Ties with Afghanistan, Highlights Terrorism Concerns
Peshawar: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, emphasized the importance of maintaining strong, brotherly relations with Afghanistan while highlighting concerns about cross-border terrorism and the presence of extremist groups in the region.
Speaking during a meeting with political leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, General Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s policy of prioritizing national interests above all else. “Afghanistan is our neighboring brotherly Islamic nation, and Pakistan has always desired positive and peaceful relations with it,” he stated.
Key Issue: Extremist Threats and Cross-Border Terrorism
The Army Chief clarified that Pakistan’s differences with Afghanistan stem solely from the presence of extremist elements and the spread of terrorism across the border. “This disagreement will persist until these issues are addressed effectively,” he added.
Targeted Operations, Not Large-Scale Campaigns
Dispelling misconceptions about military actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, General Munir reassured leaders that no large-scale operations were underway. Instead, he explained, “Our efforts are intelligence-driven, focusing on targeted actions against specific threats. There is no operational foothold for extremist groups in any region of Pakistan.”
The Call for Unity
Highlighting the moral and religious implications of creating discord, General Munir quoted, “Spreading chaos and corruption is a grave sin. We must unite as a nation against terrorism without bias or discrimination.” He expressed confidence that collective unity would lead to a swift improvement in the country’s security situation.
Learn from Mistakes, Strengthen Trust
Acknowledging human imperfection, General Munir encouraged learning from past mistakes, stating, “Acknowledging our errors and drawing lessons from them is critical to moving forward.” He also addressed the importance of the bond between the people and the armed forces, dismissing false narratives aiming to create rifts. “Such divisive rhetoric often originates abroad as part of specific agendas,” he noted.
Fast-Track Implementation of National Action Plan
He further urged political parties to expedite work on the National Action Plan, a unified framework designed to combat terrorism and extremism. “Consensus among all parties on this plan is encouraging, but faster execution is essential,” General Munir emphasized.
The Army Chief concluded by reiterating the need for a collective, unified approach to secure a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.