RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has ruled out any change in the country’s leadership, describing such rumours as completely false, and declaring those behind them as adversaries of both the government and the establishment.
Speaking to senior journalist Suhail Warraich in Brussels, the army chief said, “God made me this country’s guardian”, adding that he had no desire for any other position.
He stressed that political reconciliation was possible only through genuine apologies from all parties involved.
In July, rumours began to circulate that President Asif Ali Zardari may be asked to step down and that the COAS would take over the top office. However, top government officials — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi — rejected such claims.
Field Marshal Munir also highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing experience in maintaining balanced relations with China and the United States. He said: “We will not sacrifice one friend for the sake of another.”
On international diplomacy, the army chief noted that US President Trump’s desire for peace is genuine, which is why Pakistan was the first to support his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. He added that other countries are now following Pakistan’s lead in supporting the nomination.
Regarding regional security, Field Marshal Munir warned that India should not attempt to destabilise Pakistan through proxies.
The army chief praised Prime Minister Shehbaz for his dedication, including working 18-hour a day during the war, and lauded the government and cabinet for demonstrating remarkable resolve during challenging times.
He also called on the Afghan government to halt policies that push the Taliban into Pakistan and reaffirmed that the blood of every Pakistani is a responsibility the state must uphold.
During the Brussels event, overseas Pakistanis welcomed Field Marshal Munir as a war victor. He spent several hours meeting Pakistanis who had travelled from far and wide, despite advice that such a large gathering could cause logistical issues. The army chief insisted that the visitors’ dedication and enthusiasm could not be ignored.
Separately, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the actions of a single terrorist should never endanger innocent civilians.
Speaking at a special session with students belonging to Balochistan, he said the military had no interest in causing harm to civilians under the guise of counter-terrorism operations.
He stressed that while Balochistan’s youth is instilled with a sense of patriotism, the local population also understands the relationship between the province and country well.
Lt-Gen Chaudhry paid tribute to Major Muhammad Anwar Kakar, describing him as an exceptional officer and a proud son of the soil. Noting that Major Kakar had previously neutralised several terrorists in the Gwadar attack, the military spokesperson highlighted the daily sacrifices made by officers, soldiers and civilians to safeguard the country.
He reiterated that no community should be penalised for the actions of an individual. Successful operations depend on local cooperation in identifying terrorists, rather than military forces clearing areas indiscriminately. “Once troops withdraw, any unaddressed threats could resurface”.
Furthermore, the ISPR DG underlined that all operations were intelligence-based to ensure precision and civilian safety. He said the army works closely with local administrations and the public to apprehend terrorists and their facilitators, ensuring accountability without harming innocent residents.
Lt-Gen Chaudhry also said that civilians providing shelter to terrorists or storing explosives will face consequences, but the broader community should not be punished.
The military’s media wing spokesperson lauded Baloch people for standing against terrorism and noted that they were actively reporting terrorist presence in their areas.
The ISPR chief also spoke on Pakistan’s founding principles, stressing that the country was established on the basis of the Kalma, beyond linguistic or regional differences.
He cited examples of prominent Baloch citizens, including Cambridge-educated scientist Samad Yar Jang, Shahzaib Rind, and female deputy commissioners, illustrating that educated Baloch now actively shape their own destinies.
The DG ISPR highlighted that Balochistan was not exclusively Baloch, with over 30pc of the population being Pashtun, and pointed out that more members of the Baloch ethnic group live outside the province than within it. The ISPR chief concluded that the essence of Pakistan — ‘La ilaha illallah’ — is embedded in the country’s citizens, reinforcing unity beyond ethnic or regional identity.