NEEDLESS to say, being a nuclear middle power South Asian security state, Pakistan is manifested to confront manifold challenges at the international and domestic levels. That said, military role in addressing these challenges has always been pivotal since General Asim Munir has taken the charge as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in November, 2022. The recent visit of the COAS to the US (albeit a routine visit by every COAS), is a reflection of revitalizing the scope of military diplomacy at the foreign front. The mission of the General –the Munir doctrine –has been currently galvanized by the US think tank, the Washington Middle East Institute (MEI). Here, I would further enlighten the perspective of Munir’s mission par excellence: uplifting Pakistan role as a middle power state.
According to the Pentagon press release, Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin III hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General discussed recent regional security developments and potential areas for bilateral defence cooperation. General Munir’s recent visit to Washington has nonetheless registered a symbolic significance amid the growing global dynamics: the ongoing war in Ukraine, Israel’s war on Gaza, the Middle East volatile politics because of the emerging intensity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza – caused due to Israel’s military offensives, the growing multilateral tapestry of trans regional alliances, and above all, the evolving and growing need of conflict resolutions of Palestine and Kashmir.
The strategic model of Gen Munir’s foreign policy: Like all his predecessors, defending and protecting our national interests, particularly Pakistan‘s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the core objective of Pakistan military diplomacy. According to the Middle East Institute (MEI), Gen Munir’s foreign policy vision reflects this strategic thinking, as evidenced by his statements and efforts in defence diplomacy. He has expressed his desire to defend Pakistan against internal and cross-border terrorism while simultaneously transforming the country into a stabilizing regional security actor.
It is further attributed that, “This vision may have taken shape as a response to the deliberate strategic manoeuvres of middle powers, which have astutely capitalized on the rivalry between the West and Russia, as well as the competition between the United States and China, to bolster their bargaining positions, all while avoiding being ensnared in their confrontations. Achieving genuine neutrality may be a tall order though and would require, first and foremost, full independence from foreign aid. 2023”, Michael Kugleman, the South Asian expert argues, “Washington and Islamabad have struggled to find new anchors for their partnership since US forces left Afghanistan in 2021”. Against this backdrop, the visit of Gen Asim Munir nonetheless provided the opportunity to rebalance the need of Pak-US relationship in emerging global situation beyond any GPC scenario. On 12 Dec, the State Department underscored Pakistan’s centrality to the US as a major ally and partner.
Focus on uplifting Pak-US relations: As per the ISPR, addressing the US policy think tanks COAS said that Pakistan is a country of consequence both from geopolitical and geoeconomic perspectives and wishes to develop itself as a hub of connectivity and a gateway to Central Asia and beyond, however, eschews Bloc Politics and believes in maintaining balanced relationships with all friendly countries. COAS highlighted that Pakistan desires to broaden bilateral engagement with the US through long term multi domain partnership. He highlighted that his interactions during the visit to the US with political and military leadership have been very positive and forward looking for further strengthening the relationship.
Geo-economics: Gen Munir’s mission is to revitalize and upgrade Pakistan’s potential to become a G20 economy, because of its vast reserves of mineral and natural resources. The Chief reportedly pinned his hopes on the young demographic of Pakistan’s population: 65% of who are 30 or below, in leading the economic recovery. Ushering in a new era for trade and economic relations, the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement (Pak-GCC FTA) was signed in October this year. In addition, Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment has sparked renewed hope for a prosperous future in Pakistan. In a ground-breaking move, the esteemed oil giant Aramco has recently finalized agreements to acquire a substantial 40% equity stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd (GO), signaling its entry into the highly lucrative fuels retail market of Pakistan.
Conflict Resolutions of Palestine and Kashmir: Though seeking an amicable resolution of the Kashmir dispute as well as that of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains centripetal to Pakistan national interest, under Gen Asim Munir regime, the fulfillment of this pursuit has become more our national credo — vindicated by Pakistan’s Foreign Office persistent advocacy towards conflict resolutions of the Palestinian and Kashmir disputes. The COAS reaffirmed Pakistan’s continuous support to the United Nations in all its earnest efforts. During his interaction with the US and UN’s officials, the army chief particularly highlighted the ongoing Kashmir and Gaza issues. He said that peace in South Asia would remain elusive until a peaceful solution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute was found in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Gen Munir’s domestic vision: On domestic front, Munir doctrine is equally fit to address the brewing challenges in terms of domestic terrorism, and political instability. It is therefore pertinent that a stable government exists to deliver on a transformative economic agenda via sustainable democratic government. Under Gen Munir’s command Pakistan military is showing a semblances of neutrality by maintaining distance from domestic politics. Moreover, the COAS General Asim Munir has reiterated his stance by holding that the way Pakistan Army has been playing its role in national building, his mission will continue to strengthen Pakistan‘s ideological and strategic moorings.
Pakistan witnesses recent influx of investment from prominent nations including China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE. To conclude, though the mission General is executing is entailed by multiple policy challenges, armed with an iron-clad faith, General Munir is ardently and professionally committed to uplifting Pakistan’s global image as a middle power state in terms of ends, means, and ways. On foreign front, Gen Munir’s SIFC economic doctrine — is meant to galvanise our national potentials towards the foreign investment — while on the domestic front, it is aimed to elevate the scope of our economy as fully documented and digitalized.
—The writer, an independent ‘IR’ researcher-cum-international law analyst based in Pakistan, is member of European Consortium for Political Research Standing Group on IR, Critical Peace & Conflict Studies, also a member of Washington Foreign Law Society and European Society of International Law. He deals with the strategic and nuclear issues.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
