CHIEF of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir has issued a stern warning to India, stating that there should not be any misapprehension about Pakistan and its response in future conflicts.
Addressing a ceremony held at GHQ in Rawalpindi on Monday to honour him on his appointment as the country’s first CDF, he declared that next time, Pakistan’s reply will be even faster and more intense. The CDF also commented on Pakistan’s strategic stance regarding the Taliban regime, declaring that a clear message had been sent: “They have no option but to choose between the Khawarij or Pakistan.”
This is, perhaps, for the first time that there is almost a hundred percent clarity on Pakistan’s policies vis-à-vis India and Afghanistan, which represents true aspirations of people of Pakistan. As against the past, these policies are Pakistan-centric and there is no flexibility when it comes to safeguarding the core interests of the country. Field Marshal Asim Munir, from the very beginning, has adopted a categorical stance on issues of national interests and the remarks made by him during the ceremony were reiteration of the resolve to continue to pursue the principled-based policies. The CDF aptly conveyed a warning to India to be ready for a faster and more intense response as there have been consistent threatening statements and actions from New Delhi. The way Pakistan conducted itself in the wake of a flurry of false accusations by India both before and after the May war beamed out a message to the world that Pakistan is a peace-loving country but has the resolve and commitment to defend itself in every manner if its security is threatened. Similarly, for long, Pakistan incurred huge human and material losses for extending all inclusive support and cooperation to Afghanistan during periods of trials and tribulations but a much-needed review of the policy came when Kabul declined to address legitimate security concerns of Pakistan. The comments of the CDF that Afghanistan will have to make a choice between Pakistan and Khawarij should serve as an eye-opener for those at the helm of affairs in Afghanistan, who are entertaining a false notion that Pakistan can be pressured by stoking terrorism. The CDF has also done well by clarifying that each service would maintain its operational individuality, but the Defence Forces Headquarters would streamline and synchronize operations across the military branches, adding with the unified top command, the three armed forces will maintain their internal autonomy and organizational structures.
