Web Desk

<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Bahawalpur Garrison, where he reaffirmed that Pakistan Armed Forces remain &ldquo;fully prepared to defend Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and territorial integrity against all threats,&rdquo; the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued on Thursday. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Field Marshal Munir was briefed on &ldquo;operational, training and administrative aspects of the Corps, with a special focus on preparations for multi-domain warfare.&rdquo;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/62b49d03-c2ad-4cfd-bbeb-cd6c24f38e0f.jpeg" style="width: 598px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to the ISPR press release, the Field Marshal Asim Munir witnessed a high-intensity field exercise titled &ldquo;Steadfast Resolve&rdquo; at Khairpur Tamewali, which &ldquo;encompass[ed] integration of niche technologies like unmanned aerial systems (drones), advanced surveillance assets, Electronic Warfare assets and modern command-and-control mechanisms.&rdquo; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The exercise, the statement said, reflected &ldquo;the Armed Forces&rsquo; focus on technology-enabled multi-domain operations.&rdquo;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/bcedcef4-49c5-4d7d-8733-876224096305.jpeg" style="width: 614px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Addressing the troops, the Field Marshal lauded their &ldquo;high morale, professional competence and operational preparedness,&rdquo; and reaffirmed that the Pakistan Armed Forces &ldquo;remain fully prepared to defend Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and territorial integrity against all <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/field-marshal-warns-india-against-sabotaging-peace" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">threats</a><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.&rdquo; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He emphasized &ldquo;the need to maintain optimum readiness to meet the requirements of future Battlefield and <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/field-marshal-munir-stresses-zero-tolerance-for-security-threats" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">security challenges</a><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.&rdquo;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/2bed09c2-52f9-4be8-b93c-5c001ca5cbe0.png" style="width: 605px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The CDF said that the Pakistan Armed Forces &ldquo;are undergoing major transformation in multiple domains,&rdquo; noting that the &ldquo;character of war has evolved massively, with technological advancements driving the evolution, dictating huge mental transformation at all tiers.&rdquo; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&ldquo;In future, technological manoeuvres will replace physical manoeuvres and will fundamentally alter the way offensive and defensive operations are undertaken,&rdquo; the statement quoted him as saying, adding that &ldquo;Pakistan Armed Forces are embracing and absorbing technology at a rapid pace.&rdquo; In this process, the statement said, &ldquo;innovation, indigenization and adaptation shall remain fundamental.&rdquo; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier, the Chief of Defence Forces inaugurated the ROHI eSkills Learning Hub aimed at promoting digital skills and learning opportunities for students, &ldquo;particularly from Southern Punjab and across the country.&rdquo; He also inaugurated the APS Abbasia Campus, reaffirming the Pakistan Army&rsquo;s commitment to &ldquo;quality education and character building.&rdquo;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/015383b8-00ef-44a9-b273-7bd61d6011aa.jpeg" style="width: 391px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">During the visit, he also attended the EME Regional Workshop, where he was briefed on &ldquo;the maintenance regime to sustain modern platforms through advanced technologies, indigenization, and other combat support measures.&rdquo; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon arrival at Bahawalpur Garrison, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces was received by the Commander Bahawalpur Corps. He later laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and offered Fateha, &ldquo;paying tribute to the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs,&rdquo; the ISPR said.

Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Bahawalpur Garrison where is was briefed on various operational, training and administrative aspects of the Corps, with special focus on preparations for multi-domain warfare (ISPR)

Security

During a visit to Bahawalpur Garrison, the Chief of Defense Forces was briefed on operational, training and administrative aspects of the Corps; special focus was given on preparations for multi-domain warfare.

Armed forces fully prepared to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty: Field Marshal Munir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and World Liberty Financial USA signed a memorandum of understanding in Islamabad on Wednesday&nbsp;to advance cooperation on crypto, digital payments innovation, and cross-border financial transactions. A delegation of World Liberty Financial USA, led by CEO Zachary Witkoff, called on Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, said a press release issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2011341672937111583&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=8ed77d2d00081bb47726d566733c5b6575426bfd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces&nbsp;Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib also attended the meeting. Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister shared his vision for digital Pakistan, aimed at increasing connectivity, access, transparency, and openness for citizens. He said the rapid growth of digital payments and financial innovation is essential to Pakistan&rsquo;s expanding digital economy. The prime minister appreciated the growing international interest in Pakistan&rsquo;s digital financial markets and noted with deep satisfaction that Pakistan is fast becoming part of the global digital finance landscape. Zachary Witkoff expressed keen interest in engaging with Pakistan to build a secure, transparent digital payment infrastructure, including innovations in cross-border settlement and foreign exchange processes. He lauded Pakistan&rsquo;s policy framework, which is helping to position the country as a leading contender in the global digital finance landscape.Witkoff expressed a keen desire to further deepen engagement with Pakistan to explore next-generation digital payment and cross-border finance innovations. Signing of MoUPrime Minister Sharif and CDF Munir later witnessed the signing of the MoU between the Government of Pakistan and SC Financial Technologies LLC, an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial, to enable structured dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures for cross-border transactions. Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb and CEO World Liberty Financial Zachary Witkoff signed the MoU on behalf of the respective sides.&nbsp;&lsquo;New economy&rsquo;Pakistan TV Digital correspondent Ayesha Mir spoke with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, World Liberty Financial executives, and the chairman of PVARA, following the signing of the MoU between Pakistan and World Liberty Financial. Witkoff, the company&rsquo;s CEO, said, &ldquo;We&rsquo;re really excited about this MoU to bring the most regulated digital dollar in the world to Pakistan and its people.&rdquo; He added that the company was &ldquo;really excited to do business here.&rdquo; Finance Minister Aurangzeb framed the development as part of Pakistan&rsquo;s transition to what he called the &ldquo;new economy.&rdquo; He said the journey began last year with the formation of the Crypto Council and accelerated after learning from US legislative efforts. &ldquo;With this MoU, we take it to the next level,&rdquo; he said, adding that the government wanted to fast-track the process to help Pakistan &ldquo;leapfrog in terms of the new economy.&rdquo; &lsquo;Can&rsquo;t hide my excitement&rsquo;Aurangzeb also highlighted the scale of crypto adoption in the country, revising earlier estimates upward. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not really 20 million; my latest understanding is that it&#39;s about 40 million,&rdquo; he said, describing strong uptake among young people and freelancers. &ldquo;As a finance minister, all I can say is that I can&rsquo;t hide my excitement to be on this journey.&rdquo; Bilal Bin Saqib, chairman of PVARA, stressed that the government was not promoting crypto but regulating an activity that already exists.&nbsp; &ldquo;We are not essentially promoting; we are regulating the adoption which has already existed without any classroom, without any framework,&rdquo; he said, calling the MoU a sign that Pakistan is creating an enabling but risk-mitigated environment. &lsquo;Crypto speed&rsquo;&nbsp;World Liberty Financial co-founder Chase Herro praised the pace of reform understanding. &ldquo;This absolutely is the fastest yet,&rdquo; he said, with Bin Saqib adding, &ldquo;This is being done at crypto speed.&rdquo; Zak Folkman, co-founder and COO of World Liberty Financial, outlined the economic rationale behind the agreement. He said between $20 billion and $25 billion in digital assets held by Pakistanis currently sit outside the formal system. By introducing USD1 and a regulated foreign exchange model, he said, Pakistan could bring these funds into compliance, reduce reliance on &ldquo;grey and black market brokers,&rdquo; lower costs for ordinary users, and attract foreign investment. &ldquo;Pakistan has always been at the forefront; now it&rsquo;s just time to bring it into a regulated ecosystem,&rdquo; Folkman said.

Economy

The signing -- witnessed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other top officials -- aims to modernize Pakistan’s digital finance ecosystem, enhance transparency, and attract foreign investment.

Pakistan, World Liberty Financial sign MoU advancing crypto cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Air Force chief on Thursday held talks with Pakistan&rsquo;s top military leadership, underscoring continued defense engagement and cooperation between the two South Asian countries, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.&nbsp;According to the military&rsquo;s media wing, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met separately with Pakistan&rsquo;s naval and army chiefs during his visit to Islamabad and Rawalpindi.&nbsp;The Bangladeshi air chief called on Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, where the two discussed regional security developments and bilateral defence cooperation, the ISPR statement said.&nbsp;Admiral Ashraf briefed his counterpart on Pakistan Navy initiatives aimed at promoting maritime peace and stability in the region. Air Chief Marshal Khan acknowledged the Pakistan Navy&rsquo;s &ldquo;high professional standards,&rdquo; according to the statement.&nbsp;Both sides agreed to enhance high-level military exchanges and expand joint training programs.&nbsp;Khan also met Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The discussions focused on the regional security environment and ways to further strengthen defense and military-to-military cooperation.&nbsp;The two leaders reviewed avenues for expanding professional collaboration, training exchanges and institutional linkages between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bangladesh, the military said.&nbsp;The Bangladeshi air chief appreciated the role of Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces in promoting regional peace and stability. Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to maintaining and strengthening defense relations with Bangladesh.&nbsp;The visit follows a trip by Pakistan&rsquo;s naval chief to Dhaka in late 2025, reflecting growing defense-level engagement between the two countries, the ISPR added.

Bangladesh’s air chief meets Pakistan’s top military leaders to discuss regional security, enhance defence cooperation, expand joint training, and strengthen professional ties between armed forces.

Bangladesh, Pakistan discuss regional security, boost defense cooperation talks

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reviewed operational readiness and training standards during a visit to Lahore Garrison, reaffirming the Pakistan Army&rsquo;s zero-tolerance policy towards any threat to national security, the military said on Thursday.&nbsp; According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, the army chief was given a comprehensive briefing on the formation&rsquo;s readiness, ongoing training programs and key initiatives aimed at enhancing combat efficiency in line with evolving battlefield requirements. The COAS and CDF also witnessed a specialized field training exercise incorporating latest military technologies, underscoring the Army&rsquo;s focus on innovation and adaptability to meet future challenges. He later inspected sports and recreational facilities for troops, highlighting their role in maintaining physical fitness, morale and overall well-being. During the visit, Field Marshal Asim Munir also toured a High Care Center at CMH Lahore and praised the medical staff and administration for establishing a fully equipped, state-of-the-art healthcare facility for soldiers and their families. Addressing officers at the garrison, the army chief reiterated that the Pakistan armed forces remain fully committed to safeguarding the country&rsquo;s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal stability. He stressed that professionalism, discipline and determination would continue to guide the Army in confronting multifaceted security challenges. Earlier, upon his arrival at Lahore Garrison, the COAS and CDF was received by the Commander Lahore Corps.

Reiterates that the Pakistan Armed Forces remain fully committed to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal stability.

Field Marshal Munir reaffirms 'zero tolerance' against security threats

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of the Defence Forces&nbsp;Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has warned India that its proxies in Balochistan will face &ldquo;stern action&rdquo; for sabotaging peace and development. &ldquo;Indian-sponsored proxies continue to propagate violence and disrupt development in Balochistan,&rdquo; the ISPR quoted the field marshal as saying in a press statement here on Wednesday. &ldquo;Such inimical designs will be thwarted through stern action by security forces to rid the province of terrorism and unrest,&rdquo; the field marshal said while addressing participants of the 18th National Workshop on Balochistan at General Headquarters (GHQ). The workshop focused on exploring Balochistan&rsquo;s socio-economic development and its strategic importance for Pakistan. The ISPR statement said Field Marshal&nbsp;Munir spoke at length about Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to ensure regional peace and stability. Munir is credited with leading the defense forces and repelling an Indian attack on Pakistan on May 7. International media have not only analyzed the spectacular defense mounted by Pakistan&rsquo;s forces but have also highlighted Field Marshal&nbsp;Munir&rsquo;s growing role in regional and international affairs. Coverage has highlighted his engagements with global leaders, including meetings with US President Donald Trump, as well as his influence on regional and global security dynamics. According to the ISPR, Field Marshal&nbsp;Munir reaffirmed the security forces&rsquo; commitment to rooting out terrorism and protecting Pakistan&rsquo;s territorial integrity. &ldquo;Any violation of Pakistan&rsquo;s territorial integrity, whether direct or indirect, will be met with a firm and decisive response. The Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to protecting the lives and well-being of their citizens,&rdquo; the ISPR statement quoted Munir as saying. During his address, the field marshal praised the resilience and patriotism of the people of Balochistan and highlighted the province&rsquo;s pivotal importance to Pakistan&rsquo;s prosperity and development. He lauded the wide-ranging initiatives being undertaken by the federal and provincial governments, underscoring a people-centric approach aimed at improving socio-economic conditions and unlocking Balochistan&rsquo;s vast economic potential for the benefit of its people. Munir acknowledged the constructive role of civil society, particularly in debunking propaganda, and highlighted its crucial contribution to driving sustainable development. He stressed the importance of rejecting vested political agendas to ensure that Balochistan&rsquo;s future is shaped by long-term prosperity for all its residents. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which Field Marshal Munir responded to queries and spoke about ongoing efforts to develop Balochistan and ensure its security.

Says Indian-sponsored proxies engage in violence and disrupt development in Balochistan; vows decisive action against direct or indirect threats to Pakistan.

Field Marshal Munir warns India against sabotaging peace

ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan on Friday for his first official visit since assuming office, holding talks with Pakistani leaders on bilateral relations and regional security, the Prime Minister&#39;s Office said. According to the statement, Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on December 26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Upon entering Pakistani airspace, the presidential aircraft was escorted by Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets. Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, PM Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior cabinet members received the Emirati leader at the Nur Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi. The two leaders held a meeting in Islamabad, PM Sharif said in a Facebook post. &quot;The meeting focused on further strengthening the long-standing fraternal relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,&quot; the statement stated. According to the statement, the two leaders reviewed progress in ongoing cooperation and explored possibilities for deeper engagement across various sectors The two sides underscored the importance of expanding collaboration in economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information technology and people-to-people exchanges, the statement said. They also agreed to enhance bilateral trade, which holds significant potential for mutual benefit, according to the statement. The leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination on matters of mutual interest, the statement said. &quot;The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and renewed their resolve to work together to achieve shared goals of peace, stability and sustainable development,&quot; the statement said. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries and provide new momentum to their strategic partnership.

Foreign Affairs

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan Friday for his first official visit to discuss economic cooperation and regional security.

UAE President's maiden Pakistan trip targets stronger bilateral relations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday presided over the 273rd Corps Commanders&rsquo; Conference (CCC) held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to a statement by the military media.&nbsp;The meeting conducted a detailed review of internal and external security environments, focusing on evolving threats and operational preparedness, said Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;Due to the joint efforts of the Government and Pakistan Army and the steadfast support of the Pakistani people, our country is moving gradually but surely toward stability, broader opportunities, and honor and dignity&rdquo;, added the statement.&nbsp;The conference participants reaffirmed that all &ldquo;terrorists, their facilitators, and supporters operating under Indian patronage&rdquo; will be dealt with decisively.&nbsp;Military&rsquo;s top brass vowed that any &ldquo;malicious efforts&rdquo; aimed at undermining Pakistan&rsquo;s unity, security, and stability would not be tolerated, said the statement.&nbsp;The field marshal also paid tribute to the law enforcement agencies, innocent civilians who lost their lives in terrorist activities, and the Armed Forces for &ldquo;their courage, professionalism, and sacrifices&rdquo;, added the statement.&nbsp;The forum also reiterated Pakistan commitment to the people&rsquo;s &ldquo;right to self-determination and their legitimate struggle&rdquo; in Kashmir and Gaza.&nbsp;The CDF Munir also expressed his full confidence in Pakistan Army capability to effectively &ldquo;counter conventional and sub-conventional threats as well as asymmetric challenges&rdquo; to the country sovereignty and territorial integrity, as per the statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The COAS and CDF directed commanders to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, training, physical fitness, technological innovations, and battlefield adaptability,&rdquo; the statement concluded.

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir led the 273rd Corps Commanders’ Conference, reviewed security threats, vowed action against terrorism, honored sacrifices, and reaffirmed support for Kashmir and Gaza.

Pakistan military leadership vows to crush facilitators of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday visited the National Defence University (NDU), where he was briefed by civil and military participants of the ongoing National Security and War Course, according to an official press release.&nbsp;During the visit, participants presented their academic views on challenges to national security and ways to address them, the statement said.&nbsp;Munir outlined the evolving global, regional, and internal security environment. He said Pakistan faces persistent challenges across multiple domains, including conventional, sub-conventional, informational, and economic. He noted that hostile elements increasingly rely on indirect methods and proxies to exploit internal fault lines, rather than confrontation. He stressed the need for future leaders to recognize and counter such complex threats.&nbsp;The field marshal also highlighted the importance of clear decision-making and intellectual resilience in an uncertain security environment.&nbsp;He praised NDU&rsquo;s role in developing strategic thinkers and underscored the importance of professional military education for long-term national resilience, the statement said.&nbsp;He appreciated the participants&rsquo; analyses and urged them to remain vigilant and steadfast in upholding professional values.

Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited the National Defence University, Islamabad, received briefings on national security challenges, highlighted multi-domain and proxy threats to the country, stressed the need for clear decision-making, and praised military education for building strategic leadership and national resilience.

CDF Munir outlines evolving global, regional security environment in address at NDU

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief and&nbsp;Chief of Defense Forces&nbsp;Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday praised Pakistan&rsquo;s Under-19 cricket team for its historic Asia Cup triumph, calling the success a source of national pride and a reflection of the country&rsquo;s youth potential, the military&#39;s media wing said. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, during a meeting with the victorious squad at GHQ, Rawalpindi, the field marshal congratulated the players, the team management, and officials on winning the Asia Cup Men&rsquo;s U19 tournament, lauding their discipline, teamwork, and fighting spirit. He said the team&rsquo;s achievement highlighted the immense talent present among Pakistan&rsquo;s youth and demonstrated what could be accomplished through dedication, professionalism, and unity. The field marshal encouraged the young cricketers to continue striving for excellence, uphold high standards of conduct, and represent Pakistan positively both on and off the field. He stressed that success in sports not only brings honor to the country but also strengthens its image globally. Underscoring the broader importance of youth empowerment, Field Marshal Asim Munir said Pakistan&rsquo;s young population is the cornerstone of the nation&rsquo;s future, whose energy, character, and talent will shape its progress and international standing. He reaffirmed his confidence in empowering young Pakistanis to excel across diverse fields and contribute meaningfully to national development through discipline, integrity, and hard work. Members of the Under-19 team expressed gratitude for the encouragement and support, saying the recognition from the country&rsquo;s top military leadership would serve as a strong source of motivation in their careers.

Cricket

The chief of defense forces and army chief praised Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team for its historic Asia Cup triumph, calling the success a source of national pride and a reflection of the country’s youth potential.

Field Marshal Munir hails U19 Asia Cup victory, calls youth ‘Pakistan’s future’

ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump has overseen a sharp recalibration of Washington&rsquo;s South Asia policy, with Pakistan emerging as a renewed strategic partner and India&rsquo;s long-favored position showing signs of strain, according to an opinion piece published by The Washington Times.&nbsp;The article, written by retired Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defense for Near East and South Asia, says Pakistan has moved &ldquo;from pariah to partner&rdquo; within a year, becoming a pillar of Trump&rsquo;s evolving regional strategy after years of mistrust, diplomatic isolation, and doubts over its counterterrorism commitments.&nbsp;At the start of Trump&rsquo;s second term, US-Pakistan ties were described as cold, with Washington viewing Islamabad as unreliable and overly close to China. The prevailing expectation among Trump advisers was to double down on India, strengthen the Quad, and sideline Pakistan.&nbsp;However, the article argues that concerns about India&rsquo;s domestic politics, civil liberties record, military performance, and diplomatic rigidity gradually undermined confidence in New Delhi as a regional stabilizer. At the same time, discreet counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan began to thaw relations.&nbsp;A turning point came when Trump publicly praised Pakistan&rsquo;s cooperation earlier this year, surprising Washington&rsquo;s policy establishment. According to the article, a &ldquo;virtuous cycle&rdquo; followed, with incremental cooperation leading to deeper engagement and growing trust.&nbsp;The opinion piece highlights Pakistan&rsquo;s military performance during its brief May clash with India as another decisive moment, saying it reshaped perceptions in Washington and restored Pakistan&rsquo;s image as a serious regional actor.&nbsp;The article notes that Trump&rsquo;s role in brokering a ceasefire following the May clash between India and Pakistan further shaped Washington&rsquo;s reassessment. While India was described as dismissive of Trump&rsquo;s involvement, Pakistan publicly welcomed and credited his intervention &mdash; a contrast the piece says resonated strongly with the US president.&nbsp;It also notes the rise of Pakistan&rsquo;s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as a key interlocutor for the Trump administration. Munir&rsquo;s White House lunch meeting &mdash; the first for a Pakistani military chief &mdash; and subsequent high-level engagements with US military leadership are cited as symbols of the shift.&nbsp;As 2026 approaches, the article says, Pakistan has become central to Trump&rsquo;s broader strategy, offering Washington channels on Iran, the Middle East, and a counterbalance to China&rsquo;s regional influence.&nbsp;&ldquo;The era of India first in Washington has come to an end,&rdquo; the article concludes, while cautioning that the shift may not be permanent and will depend on future choices by both Islamabad and New Delhi.

A Washington Times article highlights Pakistan’s military performance during its brief May clash with India, saying it reshaped perceptions in Washington and restored Pakistan’s image as a serious regional actor.

Articles tagged with "Field Marshal Asim Munir"