By S.M. Inam
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has once again emphasized that Pakistan’s national security remains the country’s foremost priority, reaffirming the armed forces’ commitment to working hand in hand with both federal and provincial governments. His remarks came during a visit to the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where participants of the National Security Workshop were briefed on the state of Pakistan’s internal and regional security. The delegation, which included parliamentarians, civil and military officials, academics, and representatives from civil society, received a comprehensive overview of the threats confronting the country, ranging from cross-border militancy and hybrid warfare to organized crime, including smuggling and narcotics trafficking.
In addressing the workshop participants, Munir spoke at length about the shifting dynamics of the regional environment and the geopolitical pressures influencing Pakistan’s security calculus. He highlighted that the armed forces remained steadfast in their mission to safeguard national cohesion and ensure the protection of citizens. For Munir, national unity was not a slogan but the cornerstone of resilience; he described it as the real source of strength capable of countering what he termed hostile designs directed at Pakistan. He framed sustainable peace and development as outcomes that required close institutional cooperation, asserting that the country’s armed forces and intelligence agencies were responding to emerging challenges with professionalism, vigilance, and resolve.
The importance of military readiness was further reinforced during a farewell ceremony for General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Paying tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s soldiers, Mirza described the nation’s defence as impenetrable within the current geostrategic climate. He emphasized that a strong national defence remained the bedrock of security, praising the dedication and preparedness of officers and soldiers tasked with protecting Pakistan. The ceremony included a guard of honor and acknowledgments from across the three forces, reflecting the high regard in which the country’s military leadership is held. Beyond domestic considerations, Munir also engaged in high-level discussions with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, to explore avenues of bilateral cooperation and examine the broader regional situation.
Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening ties, with Munir highlighting the need for closer coordination with Iran in countering terrorism and expanding strategic collaboration. These discussions are emblematic of Pakistan’s broader security strategy, which emphasizes cultivating partnerships with regional powers such as China, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, acknowledging the country’s strategic relevance in a volatile neighborhood. Few in Pakistan doubt that the resilience of national defence is inseparable from the capacity and professionalism of its armed forces. Since independence, the country has faced persistent external and internal pressures, and its long and complex history with India has shaped the posture and responsibilities of the military.
India’s reluctant acceptance of Pakistan’s creation, coupled with periodic attempts to exert military, political, and economic pressure, has ensured that the army remains a central pillar in safeguarding sovereignty. Over the decades, Pakistani forces have confronted repeated crises along the border and have claimed operational successes in conflicts and standoffs that have come to define the nation’s security narrative. Yet contemporary challenges extend far beyond conventional rivalries. India’s use of proxy networks, coercive diplomacy, and punitive water policies has continued to cast a shadow over bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Pakistan has endured waves of terrorism and insurgency, with militant groups exploiting instability in the region and the porous border with Afghanistan.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused elements within the Afghan Taliban’s interim regime of turning a blind eye to, or even facilitating, networks targeting Pakistan — allegations that Kabul denies. Nonetheless, the perception that hostile networks are regrouping across the border has intensified domestic concern, particularly as Afghan-linked attacks have resurfaced in parts of the northwest, prompting renewed calls for vigilance and coordination. Against this backdrop, the military leadership consistently frames national unity as the decisive factor in addressing both external aggression and internal extremism. Public sentiment in Pakistan often aligns strongly with the armed forces, shaped by decades of conflict and a perception that the country has largely borne the burden of regional instability on its own.
Authorities frequently describe efforts by hostile actors, as well as disinformation campaigns targeting state institutions, as components of a broader hybrid threat — one that they insist will be neutralized through coordinated action and public support. The emphasis on alliances and international cooperation is a recurring theme in Pakistan’s security strategy. Defence agreements with countries such as China, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are presented not only as practical measures to strengthen military capacity but also as symbols of international confidence in Pakistan’s security apparatus. The recent agreement with Riyadh, for instance, has been highlighted domestically as evidence of Pakistan’s growing strategic credibility, reflecting a wider effort to situate the country as a stabilizing actor in a turbulent region.
(The writer is a former government officer and a senior analyst on national and international affairs, can be reached at inam@metro-morning.com)
