Gen Asim Munir Reaffirms Pakistan’s Commitment to Peaceful Relations with Afghanistan

PESHAWAR: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s desire for positive relations with Afghanistan, emphasizing that differences arise primarily over the presence of extremist elements and cross-border terrorism. Speaking to political leaders in Peshawar, General Munir stressed that foreign agendas are behind attempts to create division between the public and the military.

“The existence of the state is paramount. If the state is strong, politics can take place,” General Munir stated, highlighting the importance of national unity and stability.

The army chief clarified that no large-scale military operations are being conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Instead, targeted operations are being carried out based solely on intelligence. He urged all parties to unite against terrorism, noting, “Creating disorder is a grave sin, and without the state, nothing else matters.”

General Munir also underscored the need for learning from past mistakes and accelerating the implementation of the National Action Plan, which enjoys the collective support of all political parties.

Earlier, the army chief praised the efforts of Pakistan’s security forces, saying that terrorism has no place in society and commending the ongoing counter-terrorism operations. He was given a detailed briefing on the current security situation and the ongoing operations targeting extremist groups such as Fitna Al Khwarij. The briefing was attended by the Federal Minister of Interior and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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General Munir’s remarks reflect a strong commitment to both national security and fostering peaceful relations with neighboring Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of external and internal challenges.