RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Thursday made it thoroughly clear that Pakistan would never make any compromise on the Kashmir dispute, adding that India must understand that Pakistan will neither forget Kashmir nor abandon it.
Talking to vice-chancellors of different universities, principals and senior educators, the army chief went on to say that it is no longer possible for India to suppress the Kashmir dispute as it is a global issue.
He said that Pakistan would never accept India’s hegemony, adding that water is a “red line” and no one would be allowed to compromise on the fundamental right of 240 million Pakistanis.
“Educators are the biggest asset of Pakistan. What I am today is because of my parents and teachers. Educators bear the responsibility to build the character of Pakistan’s future generations. You (educators) must pass on Pakistan’s story to the next generations,” he said.
The field marshal said that Pakistan was blessed as it got help from Allah Almighty during the Marka-e-Haq — referring to the recent standoff with India. He added that when a nation stands united like an iron wall, then no force in the world can defeat it.
Rejecting Indian allegations, the field marshal said that terrorism is India’s internal issue, which is primarily caused by increasing oppression and discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims. Field Marshal Munir said that terrorists in Balochistan were backed by India and they have no connection with Baloch.
The army chief called for making Pakistan a strong state where all institutions work under the law and Constitution without any political pressure, financial and personal gains, and for the welfare of the people.
During the Q&A session, participants expressed their sentiments, saying: “This safe homeland is secured by the uniform.” They added: “We are proud of Pakistan and our armed forces, and we will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them.”
At the invitation of Government of Tajikistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Dushanbe on Thursday to participate in the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation (ICGP) being held on 29-31 May, 2025.
He was accompanied by a delegation comprising Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and senior officials.
Upon arrival at Dushanbe, he was received by Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda.
In the evening, PM Shehbaz held a bilateral meeting with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. The two leaders held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
During the discussions, the president and prime minister fondly recalled the signing of historic Strategic Partnership Agreement during Shehbaz’s visit to Dushanbe in July 2024, which laid a strong foundation for strengthening bilateral relations and advancing shared interests. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across all areas, including political, trade and economic, energy, defence, security and regional connectivity. They agreed to actively pursue new avenues for cooperation, with a focus on fostering investment opportunities, enhancing educational linkages, prompting cultural exchanges, advancing information technology collaboration and strengthening people-to-people contacts.
On CASA-1000, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to positioning it as a pivotal project for regional integration. Welcoming the holding of CASA-1000 Inter-Governmental Council in Dushanbe on 15 May 2025, the prime minister assured the shared commitment to its early operationalisation.
Regarding economic cooperation, the two leaders underscored the importance of actively pursuing new avenues of cooperation in line with the decisions taken during the 7th Session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific Technical Cooperation, held in Islamabad in December 2024. They also agreed to effectively leverage the existing institutional frameworks including 12 Joint Working Groups (JWGs), to further enhance collaboration between the two countries, especially in oil & gas and energy sectors.
They took good note of growing bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security and reiterated their resolve to further boost the same in order to overcome the common security challenges faced by the two countries. They emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating cross-border organised crime and human and drug trafficking.
The leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and global geopolitical developments. They emphasised the importance of working together to promote peace, stability and economic development in the region.
On peaceful resolution of Tajik-Kyrgyz border dispute, Shehbaz felicitated Emomali on this milestone.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction on cooperation at the multilateral fora, including at the UN, OIC, SCO and ECO and reaffirmed their resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of common interest.
The prime minister, reaffirming Pakistan’s historical and cordial ties with Tajikistan, underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to ongoing structured and multifaceted engagement with Tajikistan, for mutual gains. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening connectivity linkages with the Central Asian region.
Shehbaz also briefed Emomali on the latest situation in the South Asian region. He underscored that our region could not afford India’s irresponsible and unlawful actions since 7 May 2025, which amounted to acts of war and violation the UN Charter and international law. He urged the international community to hold India accountable, reiterating that Pakistan desires peace, but will defend its sovereignty with full resolve if challenged. He also underscored that the resolution of Jammu & Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, remains fundamental to securing lasting peace in the region.
In response, President Emomali said that as a staunch friend of Pakistan, he too was very worried at the events of early May, adding that he would always promote peace and stability in the region. He added that he was deeply impressed by the prime minister’s remarkable leadership that was critical to the restoration of peace and security in the region.
President Emomali reaffirmed Tajikistan’s desire for further intensifying bilateral cooperation in all fields, terming Pakistan as a trusted partner. Noting regular high-level exchanges, he underlined the importance of closer collaboration in the areas of science and technology, agriculture, industry, hydro power generation and tourism.
The Tajikistan president hosted a special reception in honor of the prime minister.
Earlier, talking to Azerbaijan TV prior to his departure from Lachin to Dushanbe, PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan was ready to receive $2 billion investment from Azerbaijan in multiple sectors.
He said that during their meeting, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev had reiterated his country’s commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan. “We are ready for this investment for mutual benefits,” he said.
Referring to his participation in a ceremony of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day held on Wednesday, the prime minister said that May 28 was also a very important day for Pakistan as the country became a nuclear power on that date in 1998.
He said Azerbaijan was a “brotherly and great” country which had completely transformed under the “dynamic” leadership of President Aliyev.
Shehbaz said that during their meeting, both sides discussed joint cooperation in trade, commerce and investment. In the future, both countries will have more coordination in commerce, defence production, education, health and many other sectors.
