God Has Made Me Protector, I Do Not Desire Any Position: Pak Army Chief Asim Munir On His Political Ambitions
Suhail Warraich, a columnist for the Jang media group, claimed in an article published on Saturday that the Pakistan army chief had spoken to him in person on the matter during a recent meeting in Brussels, Belgium en route after his visit to the United States.
The columnist said that Munir was reported as saying on stage at a Brussels gathering that: 'God has made me protector of the country. I do not desire any position other than that.'
"God has made me protector. I do not desire any position": Pak Army Chief Asim Munir on his political ambitions
Read @ANI Story |https://t.co/o1InJbUtVc#AsimMunir #Pakistan #PakArmyChief pic.twitter.com/WojHrdDL9j — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) August 17, 2025
'I am a soldier and my greatest desire is martyrdom," Munir said, as quoted by the Pakistan-based newspaper.
This remark by Pakistan's Army Chief came during a time when there were persistent instances that showed that the Pakistani political system had faced military intervention, with Munir categorically rejecting such speculation.
"The talk started with politics and especially on the rumours that work is being done to change the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister. General Asim Munir clearly said in the Brussels meeting and in the two-hour-long meeting with me that the rumours about the change are completely false," the Saturday column by Warraich read.
Munir also stated that such claims of a leadership change in Pakistan weren't made by either civil or military agencies but rather by elements that sought to destabilise the political order in the country.
Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper cited the Jang media column to say Pakistani army chief had "warned" India against destabilising Pakistan's peace through the use of 'proxies', and also cautioned Afghanistan against 'pushing the Taliban into Pakistan', or it would be met with a response.
'He said that we have shown kindness and favours to Afghans for years, but instead of repaying them, a conspiracy is being hatched against us in collaboration with India,' Warraich said.
The columnist stated that the Pakistani Army Chief has also laid out an "ambitious" roadmap aimed at transforming Pakistan, pointing towards an untapped potential in the mineral sector.
"Pakistan has a rare earth treasure; with this treasure, Pakistan's debt will also be reduced, and Pakistan will soon be counted among the most prosperous societies," Munir stated in the interview with the Daily Jang. Munir specifically pointed to the Reko Diq mining project, predicting that from next year, the country would earn a net profit of at least two billion dollars annually from the project, with this figure increasing year by year.
Munir was quoted as expressing confidence in maintaining equilibrium between the US and China. 'We will not sacrifice one friend for the other,' Munir said as quoted by the Daily Jung columnist.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Pakistani university lecturer arrested for planning foiled Balochistan attack, officials say
Security forces in southwestern Pakistan arrested a university lecturer accused of planning a foiled suicide attack that would have targeted last week's Independence Day celebrations in insurgency-hit Balochistan province, officials said Monday (August 18, 2025). The suspect, Usman Qazi, is claimed to have links with the outlawed Majeed Brigade, the suicide squad of the Balochistan Liberation Army, according to the province's Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti. During a press conference in the city of Quetta, Mr. Bugti showed video footage with Qazi admitting to planning the thwarted attack as well as aiding militants in recent years. It was unclear whether Qazi made those remarks under duress. Mr. Bugti did not clarify when the arrest was made, and only said the man was still being questioned. The arrest comes a week after the US State Department designated BLA and the Majeed Brigade a foreign terrorist organisation. The group is already banned at home. Mr. Bugti said it was the first time security forces acting on intelligence had captured a senior member of the Majeed Brigade. He said Qazi confessed to involvement in past attacks, including last year's railway station bombing in Quetta that killed 32 people. There was no immediate comment from the BLA about the arrest. Balochistan has long seen violence blamed on separatist groups, including the BLA. The province is rich in natural resources and home to projects tied to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, where Chinese nationals and Pakistani security forces have also been targeted by insurgents. The separatists demand independence from Pakistan's central government in Islamabad. Though the government said it had quelled the insurgency, violence persists there.
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Fight Against Terrorism In All Its Forms Is Major Priority: EAM Jaishankar Tells Chinese Foreign Minister
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday and said the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is a major priority. In his opening remarks during the meeting, Jaishankar said in the current environment, there is clearly the imperative of maintaining and enhancing stability in the global economy as well. The talks between the two leaders covered economic and trade issues, pilgrimages, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity and bilateral exchanges. Jaishankar said ties between India and China must be guided by three mutuals - mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. Noting that India seeks a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order, Jaishankar said reformed multilateralism is the call of the day. "When the world's two largest nations meet, it is natural that the international situation will be discussed. We seek a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order, including a multi-polar Asia. Reformed multilateralism is also the call of the day. In the current environment, there is clearly the imperative of maintaining and enhancing stability in the global economy as well. The fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is another major priority," he said. India has faced cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, a key ally of China. India conducted Operation Sindoor in early May in response to the Pahalgam terror attack and targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK. India subsequently repelled Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. Jaishankar expressed confidence that the discussions with the Chinese leader will contribute to building stable relationship that servers interests of both countries. "Overall, it is our expectation that our discussions would contribute to building a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship between India and China, one that serves both our interests and addresses our concerns," he said. Jaishankar said that the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister provides the two countries an opportunity to meet and review bilateral ties. "It is also an appropriate time to exchange views on the global situation and some issues of mutual interest. Having seen a difficult period in our relationship, Excellency, our two nations now seek to move ahead. This requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides. In that endeavour, we must be guided by the three mutuals - mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. Differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict," he said. Welcoming the Chinese leader and his delegation to India at the start of his visit for the 24th round of Talks between the Special Representatives of India and China, Jaishankar said this is also the first visit by a Chinese Minister since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Welcomed Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Delhi this evening. Highlighted that our relations are best guided by the three mutuals - mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. As we seek to move ahead from a difficult period in our ties, it needs a… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 18, 2025 Wang Yi will discuss border issues with India's Special Representative, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, tomorrow. "This is very important because the basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. It is also essential that the de-escalation process move forward," Jaishankar said. He said the Chinese Foreign Minister is visiting India, shortly before the SCO Summit that China is hosting in Tianjin. "We have worked closely with the Chinese side during its Presidency. We wish you a successful Summit with strong outcomes and decisions," he said. Wang Yi arrived in India on Monday on a two-day visit.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
China's Wang Yi in India for border talks, countdown to resolve LAC issue begins
Amid India-US trade tensions following US President Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on New Delhi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in India on a two-day visit after over three years. This is Wang's first visit to India following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which saw India-China ties landing in Delhi, Wang participated in talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday. On Tuesday, the 24th round of the Special Representatives' (SR) talks will be held in which National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Wang will be the SR talks, the Chinese Foreign Minister will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The upcoming meeting comes at a time when border tensions between India and China have eased significantly since the BRICS Summit in Russia's Kazan last year. The meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit took a decisive turn towards ending the his meeting with Wang on Monday, Jaishankar said that peace on the border was essential for improving India-China relations. He also told his Chinese counterpart that both countries had gone through a difficult period and needed to move forward with a clear and cooperative and China took a major decision ahead of the Kazan BRICS Summit to resolve the dispute that has been going on since 2020 in eastern Ladakh. Disengagement was completed in Demchok and Depsang, and the armies also withdrew from the four major disputed points, such as Pangong, Galwan, Gogra and Hot Springs. However, there is still no breakthrough in patrolling in these the meeting between PM Modi and Xi on October 21 last year, it was decided that talks would be held at the SR level to resolve the dispute. The first meeting was held in Beijing in December last year, with NSA Ajit Doval leading India. Now, the second meeting will be held in big faces played an important role in resolving the border dispute. PM Modi gave full freedom to the Indian Army to take immediate decisions on the ground. At the same time, economic pressure was also created on the other hand, Jaishankar consistently raised the issue in international forums and forked a diplomatic path to a solution. At the same time, Doval held direct talks with Wang to take the talks at the SR the dispute, the Army showed its strong position in eastern Ladakh. By occupying the peaks of South Pangong and rapidly deploying heavy weapons, it sent a message to China that India is no longer the India of 1962. The Army's strategy forced China to come to the negotiating situation along the LAC has been calm since the Kazan summit and the armies of both countries are patrolling in their respective areas. Now, with the SR meeting to be held in Delhi, it is expected that India and China will move forward towards finding a permanent solution to the eastern Ladakh dispute.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#India-China#Subrahmanyam Jaishankar#Narendra Modi
