Islamabad (Web Desk): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has said Pakistan will continue playing its positive role in regional and global peace.
Addressing Margalla Dialogue 2024 organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in Islamabad on Friday, he spoke on the topic "Pakistan's Role in Peace and Stability" and shed light on significant contributions in promoting regional harmony and international peace.
The COAS underscored the importance of Pakistan’s strategic contributions to global security, including its efforts to combat terrorism.
He spoke about the country's efforts to strengthen border security, particularly along its western frontier, through comprehensive management systems aimed at preventing terrorist activities.
The COAS emphasized that extremism continues to be a significant threat to global stability, with Pakistan considering groups like Fitna al-Khwarij as central to the spread of terrorism.
He also highlighted the critical role Afghanistan's interim government must play in ensuring that its soil is not used as a base for terrorism.
The army chief referenced Pakistan's National Action Plan and the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative as essential elements in the country's strategy to eliminate extremism.
In discussing regional dynamics, General Asim Munir raised concerns about India's growing promotion of Hindutva ideology, asserting that the impacts of this ideology were not limited to India alone but had also affected Indian-origin minorities in countries like the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada.
The COAS condemned India's ongoing actions in Jammu and Kashmir as a manifestation of this extremism, reiterating Pakistan's position on the need for a resolution to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations (UN) resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Addressing the issue of disinformation and fake news, the army chief pointed to the rapid spread of false information as a destabilizing force in modern societies.
He stressed the importance of establishing laws and regulations to protect free speech while curbing misinformation, which, he warned, could continue to destabilize political and social systems in the absence of proper safeguards.
The COAS also spoke on the broader global challenges that the world faces today, including the growing influence of non-state actors and the rise of state-sponsored terrorism.
He noted the alarming increase in global inequality and intolerance, which is manifesting in religious, sectarian, and racial divisions.
Furthermore, the army chief highlighted the pressing challenges of combating climate change, improving global healthcare, and addressing terrorism as central issues in achieving global peace.
Turning his attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, General Asim Munir called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, urging international action to prevent further escalation.
He also reiterated Pakistan's longstanding position in supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while mentioning the humanitarian aid Pakistan had provided to both Gaza and Lebanon in response to the crisis.
In his concluding remarks, the COAS emphasized Pakistan’s vital role in global peacekeeping, citing the significant contributions made by the country’s personnel in UN peace missions.
He pointed out that over 235,000 Pakistanis have participated in these missions, with 181 paying the ultimate price for the cause of peace.
The army chief also reminded the audience of Pakistan's considerable potential, citing its rich natural resources, agricultural capabilities, and growing role in the freelance economy.
The COAS stressed the importance of Pakistan’s strategic geographical location, which makes it an essential partner in facilitating trade between Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
