ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has declared thatPakistan will retaliate against any nation imposing war on it in the samedecisive manner as it did during the brief but intense conflict with Indiain May this year. Speaking to Daily Jang at a luncheon hosted in honour ofJordan’s King Abdullah II, who began a two-day official visit to Islamabadon Saturday, the army chief emphasised the role of divine intervention inPakistan’s military successes.
“Pakistan will respond to those who impose war on it in the same way as itdid in May,” Field Marshal Munir stated, referring to the four-day aerialand missile exchanges that followed India’s attempted incursion intoPakistani airspace. The conflict, triggered by New Delhi’s claim ofpre-emptive strikes on alleged terrorist camps, ended with Pakistan downingtwo Indian fighter jets and capturing a pilot who was later released as agoodwill gesture.
The COAS described the episode as a moment of national pride, saying,“During the war with India, Allah helped us raise our heads high.” Heelaborated with a metaphor: “When a Muslim puts their trust in Allah, Heturns the dirt thrown at the enemy into missiles.” Such rhetoricunderscores the military’s institutional narrative of faith-basedresilience, a theme that resonates deeply within Pakistan’s strategicculture but also invites scrutiny over the fusion of religious andoperational doctrine.
Field Marshal Munir further asserted that he performs his duties “accordingto the command of Allah” and attributed the outcome of the Mayconfrontation to divine grace. “This army is an army of Allah and oursoldiers fight in His name,” he added, framing the armed forces as anextension of spiritual mandate rather than merely a professionalinstitution.
Analysts view these remarks as a calculated signal to both domestic andexternal audiences. Domestically, they reinforce the military’s image asthe ultimate guarantor of sovereignty amid economic fragility and politicalpolarisation. Externally, the reference to May serves as a deterrent,reminding adversaries of Pakistan’s willingness to escalate symmetrically.The timing, coinciding with King Abdullah’s visit, also highlightsIslamabad’s outreach to moderate Arab monarchies for diplomatic andfinancial support.
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The May clash exposed vulnerabilities on both sides but arguably bolsteredthe Pakistan Army’s domestic legitimacy. Independent assessments suggestneither nation achieved strategic gains, yet the narrative of repulsing alarger foe has been leveraged to unify public sentiment. Field MarshalMunir’s statements thus blend deterrence with ideology, a hallmark ofPakistan’s post-nuclear security posture.
Source: https://jang.com.pk/news/1234567
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