Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has declared that Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but warned India that Islamabad’s response would be swifter and more severe next time, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing the senior military officers on Monday, the Field Marshal described the creation of the newly-established Defence Forces Headquarters as a historic and fundamental transformation. He noted that, given the growing and evolving threats, it is essential to further enhance multi-domain operations under a unified tri-services system.
He said the establishment of the Defence Forces Headquarters is a necessary step toward this modernization. While each service will maintain its distinct identity and operational preparedness, the headquarters will ensure coordination and synchronization of all operations, he added.
The Field Marshal emphasized that despite unified high command the three forces will retain their internal autonomy and organizational structures.
Turning to regional security, Field Marshal Munir cautioned that India should not fall prey to any self-deception or assumptions, warning that Pakistan’s response in the future would be even swifter and more severe.
He said Pakistan has delivered a clear message to the Taliban regime: they have no option but to choose between terrorists or Pakistan.
The Field Marshal reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stating: “I reiterate that Pakistan is a peace-loving country; however, no one will be allowed to threaten our sovereignty, territorial integrity, or test our resolve.”
He concluded with a firm declaration: “Let it be known that the concept of Pakistan is invincible, protected by the unwavering determination of warriors devoted to faith and by a united nation.”
Guard of honour
Following his appointment as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir was presented with an impressive guard of honour at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force Zaheer Ahmad Babar were also present among other senior military officers at the ceremony.
The Army Chief was presented with the guard of honour by contingents from all three armed forces, in recognition of his elevation to the position of CDF.
On Friday last, the Field Marshal was notified as the country’s first CDF, in what is considered the most sweeping restructuring of the military command since the 1970s.
The notification was issued a day after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The CDF — who was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal earlier this year — will concurrently serve as Chief of Army Staff for five years
COAS Asim Munir was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal — Pakistan's second and the first in more than six decades — following the country's resounding victory over India in the May war.
Reporter Ahmad Mansoor