‘God made me Pakistan's protector,' says army chief Munir, adds his greatest desire is ‘martyrdom'
In a public interview with Pakistani journalist Suhail Warraich in Brussels, Munir publicly denied rumours of an imminent political shake-up in Islamabad, dismissing such claims as fabrications fueled by elements seeking to destabilise the country.
New Delhi: Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is focused on being 'the god ordained protector of Pakistan' and has no plans of being a President or a politician.
He also threatened to launch an attack on India if it collaborated with the Afghans 'to create instability' in the country.
The Pakistan field marshal said he 'genuinely appreciates' US president Donald Trump's peacemaking efforts and is proud that Pakistan led the way when it came to nominating Trump for Nobel.
At the same time, he said Pakistan will not choose the US over China. 'We will not sacrifice one friend for the other,' he said.
Shifting to economic matters, Munir presented a comprehensive roadmap for what he projected as aimed at lifting Pakistan out of its financial crisis and positioning it among the world's developed nations within the next five to ten years.
He projected that starting next year, Pakistan would begin generating an annual net profit of $2 billion from the Reko Diq mining project, with revenues expected to grow steadily. Emphasizing the country's untapped wealth, he noted that Pakistan possesses significant rare earth mineral reserves—resources that, if properly harnessed, could dramatically reduce the national debt and transform Pakistan into one of the world's most prosperous economies.
Addressing Imran Khan's incarceration, he gave his solution: the way forward for the former Pakistan prime minister would be to apologise to the military and went on to use Islamic metaphors to drive his point.
He reportedly compared himself to God and Khan to Satan who chooses to not recognise Adam, the first man. Drawing a parallel, he remarked that those who are willing to sincerely apologize align themselves with righteousness, like the angels, whereas those who persist in defiance resemble Satan in their obstinacy.
The Brussels stop was part of the Pakistan army chief's return journey from his second visit to the US in two months, where his nuclear sabre-rattling speech against India was widely criticised.
Also Read: Pakistan army chief Asim Munir awards himself top honour, rewards political brass for 'victory' over India
'False rumours about political change'
The Pakistan army chief rebutted the talks that the military might be positioning itself to replace either the president or prime minister.
'The rumours about a change are completely false,' he said. 'These narratives are not being spread by any civil or military institutions. In fact, behind them are elements who oppose both the government and the state apparatus and wish to create political anarchy.'
His comments follow weeks of speculation on social media suggesting that President Asif Ali Zardari may be asked to resign. Zardari's condition, according to some unverified reports, for stepping down involved securing a political role for his son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
He then went on to praise the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet for their performance during recent national crises, including Operation Sindoor when India retaliated for the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack.
The prime minister's '18-hour workdays' were specifically cited as an example of commitment and leadership under pressure.
Munir accused both India and Afghanistan of destabilising Pakistan through proxy efforts and cross-border interference.
'Instead of repaying our kindness over decades, a conspiracy is being hatched (by Afghanistan) in collaboration with India,' he said. 'If Taliban elements are pushed into Pakistan, we will have to avenge the blood of every Pakistani.'
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: US tags BLA as foreign terrorist group days after Pakistan army chief Munir's visit. What it means
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