Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has once again created tensions with India. Addressing the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi on Saturday, Asim Munir charged India with initiating conflict and attributing fault to India for disrupting regional peace. He threatened a “decisive response” to any future Indian intervention in Pakistan. He also called Pakistan a “net regional stabiliser,” asserting Islamabad had exercised “restraint and maturity” in the face of reported unprovoked Indian aggression.
Asim Munir rekindled the Kashmir conflict, terming it as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” only days ahead of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists’ gruesome massacre in Pahalgam. The Indian reaction was to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and conduct Operation Sindoor, which wrecked terror camps within Pakistan.
Asim Munir Blames India for Destabilising Region
While delivering his speech, Asim Munir mentioned that India has attacked Pakistan twice unprovoked. He blamed India for escalating tensions in South Asia and accused it of lacking “strategic foresight.” He threatened that Pakistan would retaliate vigorously if attacked again.
Asim Munir depicted Pakistan as a peace-loving country. He asserted, “Despite provocations, Pakistan showed restraint and maturity.” He asserted that Pakistan was dedicated to regional peace and stability.
Reviving Kashmir Agenda in Military Uniform
Asim Munir once again raised the issue of Kashmir. He stated that Pakistan would never forget the sacrifices of “Kashmiri brothers fighting against India’s illegal occupation.” He again reiterated Pakistan’s support for a resolution on the basis of United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
His words repeated his previous controversial statements in which he referred to Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein.” Addressing the Pakistani diaspora overseas, he had stated, “Kashmir is our jugular vein, it will remain our jugular vein; we will not forget it.”
Terror Attack Preceded by Threat, India Acts
Only a few days after the “jugular vein” remark, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists attacked in Pahalgam. More than two dozen male tourists were slaughtered in a chilling attack.
India hit back. New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, giving Pakistan a big blow. Shortly afterwards, India conducted Operation Sindoor. The operation attacked and destroyed terror launchpads deep within Pakistani territory.
Strategic Maturity or Provocation in Uniform?
Asim Munir’s repeated remarks and thinly veiled threats contradict his claims of restraint. By blaming India while ignoring Pakistan’s own terror links, Munir undermines his peace narrative. His words only add fuel to an already fragile regional situation.