Abdul Basit Alvi
Current Army Chief of Pakistan, General Asim Munir, has demonstrated a notable commitment to addressing the concerns of the people alongside fulfilling his professional responsibilities. On various occasions, he has shown positive gestures, including a historic address few months ago at the “Pakistan National Youth Conference” at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. In his speech, General Syed Asim Munir, Nishan Imtiaz (Military), emphasized the unique identity of Pakistan, distinct from Western civilizations. He encouraged the youth to have immense confidence in their country, nation, culture, and civilization, highlighting the importance of research and positive thinking in the face of societal challenges.
General Asim Munir stressed the need for national cooperation against terrorism, drawing parallels with the struggles of Palestine and Occupied Kashmir. He urged vigilance in navigating social media and propaganda, emphasizing the importance of news research. The General Asim Munir expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s abundant resources and young manpower, emphasizing the readiness of Pakistan’s forces against any threat or conspiracy. He underlined Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to sovereignty and expressed full confidence in the bright future of the country, encouraging the upholding of ancestral legacies. The students present during the speech echoed their support with slogans such as “Pakistan Army Zindabad,” “Pakistan Zindabad,” and “Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad.”
The Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, delivered a significant and thought-provoking address at the Youth Convention held at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. Throughout this discourse, participants in the convention raised several pertinent questions. General Munir shed light on the motivations behind the creation of Pakistan, emphasizing that it was a manifestation of the collective mindset of the Muslims in the subcontinent. These Muslims were convinced that religion and Islamic civilization were fundamentally distinct from Hindu beliefs, making it impractical for the two nationalities to coexist. The establishment of Pakistan was a result of this conviction. General Asim Munir stressed that today’s youth should not be swayed towards Western civilization after overcoming Hindu domination. He urged a steadfast belief in Islam, considering it a perfect religion, as the axis of self-confidence.
Addressing the prevalence of propaganda on social media, the Army Chief emphasized the Islamic mandate for research before accepting information. He cautioned against false propaganda aimed at undermining Pakistan, emphasizing the need for confidence in the nation, its people, and its natural resources. Participants openly praised Pakistan forces for their response during recent tensions with Iran, with the Prime Minister acknowledging the central role of the Army Chief in managing the crisis.
During the convention, discussions included references to the caliphate of Hazrat Umar, prompting General Munir to highlight that when the populace embodies the qualities of Umar, rulers can govern in a similar style. The Army Chief lamented the power-centric nature of Pakistani politics, urging individuals to contribute positively for the country’s betterment. While discussing the negative impacts of social media, he urged participants to avoid such effects and resist disillusionment, emphasizing the role of self-confidence.
In response to questions about political stability, General Munir underscored the importance of the five-year parliamentary term and rejected equating democratic changes within this period with instability. He cited examples from Britain and India, where governments changed multiple times during the five-year parliamentary term. Responding to inquiries about the caretaker government’s prolonged rule, he clarified that it was a constitutional necessity linked to census and delimitation requirements, and the caretaker government would step down post-election completion.
Regarding the rights of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Army Chief emphasized the collective identity of being Pakistani, noting that the identity card and passport possessed by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan were identical to his own, reinforcing the idea that a shared identity unites the nation. It is imperative to discourage negative tendencies and resist the influence of detrimental propaganda.
In an address at a seminar on agriculture and food security few weeks ago, Gen Asim Munir, serving as the guest of honor, commended the talents of the Pakistani nation. He emphasized the collective need for people to contribute to the country’s progress. The seminar marked the continuation of the inaugurated Land Information Management System – Centre of Excellence (LIMS-COE), part of the ‘Green Pakistan initiative’ aimed at enhancing food security, boosting exports, and reducing agriculture-related imports. Gen Munir expressed determination to make Pakistan green again and assured full support for the nation’s economic development. Encouraging unity and dedication, he asserted that Pakistan will progress, facing no impediments on its path to advancement. Referring to a verse from the Holy Quran, he urged the nation not to despair, emphasizing the values of patience and gratitude in the face of challenges.
On another occasion, a daughter of a martyred soldier lodged a complaint with Army Chief General Asim Munir, leading him to assure resolution and offer full cooperation. The video of Martyrs’ Day, where the daughter shared her concerns, garnered widespread attention on social media. She reported a recurring issue of floodwater being diverted toward her house by a feudal in Dera Murad Jamali. In response, the Army Chief reassured her and pledged not to release water toward her property in the future. During the incident, he directed staff to convey a message to the feudal, cautioning against such actions or else “your water will reach somewhere else.”
A few weeks ago, the Army Chief met with Assistant Superintendent of Police Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, who had rescued a woman from a violent mob in Lahore’s Ichhra Bazaar earlier this year. He commended ASP Naqvi for her professionalism and dedication. According to a statement from Inter-Services Public Relations, the officer’s courageous act took place on February 26. The Army Chief highlighted the critical role of women in Pakistani society, emphasizing their respect as upheld by both religion and culture. He also called for social harmony and a unified effort to combat intolerance, stressing the importance of adhering to legal processes rather than taking the law into one’s own hands. The Army Chief underscored that actions driven by prejudice harm societal perspectives and reaffirmed that the core principles of kindness and benevolence are fundamental to Islam. He also praised law enforcement for their sacrifices in protecting citizens.
Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has exemplified outstanding leadership by encouraging different societal groups to unite for the nation’s betterment. Recently addressing another youth convention, he emphasized that the youth represent the country’s greatest asset and must be safeguarded from being squandered. He highlighted the importance of knowledge and the optimism he sees in young people’s eyes about Pakistan’s future. General Munir stressed that it is the state’s duty to protect the public from the divisive effects of social media and underscored that the strong bond between the people, government, and army is essential for national security and progress. He questioned the relevance of those who previously predicted Pakistan’s downfall and urged reflection on the value of a free state, drawing comparisons to troubled regions. He reminded the youth that life is a test, quoting a Qur’anic verse, and concluded with a poem by Allama Iqbal about the role of individuals in shaping a nation’s destiny. During the Q&A session, he addressed various issues, including the Parachinar riots, urging local tribes to resolve disputes and reaffirmed his belief in overcoming terrorism with divine support. His efforts in fostering military-civilian collaboration and transparency in decision-making are seen as a positive trend in Pakistan’s current landscape.
COAS recently met with Olympian Arshad Nadeem to congratulate him on his outstanding achievement. He reiterated his commitment to supporting and empowering not just athletes but all Pakistani youth, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement, development, and entertainment as key pillars for a thriving and prosperous society.
Readers, the Army chief’s interaction with the general public is highly appreciated, not only by the youth but also by individuals of all genders and age groups. General Asim Munir, belonging to a middle-class family and being a self-made person, possesses a profound understanding of middle-class issues. His earnest efforts to address economic and developmental concerns are yielding positive results, with reduced dollar and fuel prices and increased foreign investment in the country. The nation acknowledges the remarkable role played by Army Chief General Asim Munir in contributing to the betterment of the country.