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Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Failed Marshal Asim Munir
Noted Pakistani political scientist, Ayesha Siddiqa, is believed to have said that every time the Pakistani army loses a war, their generals pin on a medal. The recent four-day Indo Pak war can be summed up as this: India bombed terrorist targets in Pakistan, the Pakistani air force engaged the Indian air force, whereupon the Indians bombed numerous Pakistani air bases. Preeminent military aviation analyst and military historian, Tom Cooper of Austria, has surmised, with the help of satellite imagery, that India bombed the entrance to one of Pakistan's nuclear storage sites at the Sargodha Complex in the Kirana Hills, prompting the Pakistani director general of military operations, Major General Kashif Abdullah, to call his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai and ask for a ceasefire. If the Pakistanis were winning, why would the Pakistanis request a ceasefire? In Pakistan, the news was greeted with uninterruptible joy, with sweets distributed, fireworks burst, and long marches. In India, there was a deafening silence, which made ordinary Pakistanis even more convinced about their victory. And then came the stunner. Pakistani army chief, General Asim Munir, had promoted himself to the rank of field marshal—a five-star general for life. Munir was originally scheduled to retire as army chief at the end of this year, but he has extended his term to five years. He will in all probability get another five-year extension. Instead of field marshal, Munir has been dubbed the 'failed marshal.' His missiles and air defence systems performed miserably during the war. No matter, Munir held a grand investiture ceremony for himself, in which he saluted Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, but was careful not to extend the courtesy to Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari, who is held in contempt by the military. Now the Indians and the Pakistanis are engaged in their own version of ringa ringa roses—sending high-level delegations all over the world to explain their respective country's point of view. But this is a failed exercise. The world has had enough of Indo-Pakistani shenanigans and does not want to hear their tried and trusted tropes anymore. In particular, the world wants to have nothing to do with the future of Kashmir. They know that India and Pakistan are born enemies and are ready to battle until nuclear Armageddon. That is what concerns them, nothing else. India and Pakistan came to the brink this time. What happens next? Well, in one scenario, the Pakistanis will instigate another terror attack in India. India has promised to respond. That war could escalate beyond control. The other scenario is that India and Pakistan will sit down and talk. For that, Pakistan will have to forswear terror. But it is not willing to do so. Forswearing terror is not enough. Pakistan has done that in the past. Pakistan must dismantle its jihadi infrastructure and hand over the likes of Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India. Saeed and Azhar though are seen as celebrities fighting for a noble cause in Pakistan. Pakistan will never hand them over to India. Field Marshal Asim Munir is a hawkish military commander, built along the lines of Zia-ul-Haq. He sees warfare with India through the prism of religion. He is willing to destroy Pakistan, but he will not renounce his hatred of India. It's not just that he wants Kashmir; he wants the Crescent to fly over India's Red Fort. India and Pakistan are thus locked in a civilizational conflict. Every few years, there is going to be a damning provocation from Pakistan, over which India will be compelled to react. World powers can pull the two apart only ever so often. Everyone is tired of the Indo-Pak drama. Marshals will come, and marshals will go, but what have the people of India and Pakistan done to deserve this? In this case, Field Marshal Munir intends on staying army chief of Pakistan for another seven and a half years. In his two and a half years as army chief, he has not uttered a single word of peace to India. Nor does he get along with India's leadership. Zia got along famously with Indian prime minister, Morarji Desai; General Pervez Musharraf with Atal Behari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. It is not even known if Munir has ever spoken to India's leadership. The storm has passed, but the tempest remains. As William Faulkner said, the past is not dead, the past is not even past. Indian and Pakistani people are compelled to relive the horrors of their past, while failed marshals keep pinning medals on their chest. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
The Print
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
As Asim Munir spoke in Quetta, separatist group claimed control of a city in Balochistan
'Commenting on the global and regional environment, the COAS shed light on the character of emerging conflict, with particular emphasis on India's increasingly dangerous propensity to use unprovoked military aggression against Pakistan,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military's media wing, said in a statement Friday. Speaking at the Command and Staff College, Munir talked about the apparent need for a peaceful resolution to the 'Kashmir issue' and condemned India for what he claimed was 'unlawful and legally untenable hydro-terrorism'. He was referring to the Indus Waters Treaty being held in abeyance by India post a diplomatic downgrade of relations with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. New Delhi: As Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir delivered a key address in Balochistan's capital city of Quetta, separatist group Baloch Liberation Army issued a statement, claiming it had taken control of the Surab city of the restive province. 'While reiterating the resolve to defeat any aggression and ability to deal with threats across the entire conflict spectrum, the COAS asserted that Pakistan will never be coerced and inimical designs to distract Pakistan's efforts against war on terrorism will be comprehensively defeated. For strategic stability of South Asia, the COAS emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of longstanding internationally recognized Kashmir dispute, and warned against the unlawful and legally untenable 'hydro terrorism' by India,' said the statement. But even as Munir spoke, the Baloch insurgency was making its presence felt. The BLA, a banned separatist outfit in Pakistan, released a statement claiming it had taken control of the Surab city in Balochistan. The group, which has intensified its activities in recent months, timed its declaration to coincide with the field marshal's visit, a move likely aimed at undermining the military's narrative of control and deterrence in the restive province. 'BLA fighters have taken full control of Surab, seizing key sites including the bank, Levies (paramilitary force), and police stations. Patrolling and checks are ongoing on Quetta-Karachi and Surab-Gidar roads,' the BLA said Friday, adding that a detailed statement will be released soon. Meanwhile, Munir expressed confidence that Pakistan's fight against terrorism would continue until its logical end is achieved, ensuring victory over all forms and manifestations of extremism. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Away from LoC, General Munir is losing a far more fateful war within Pakistan
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First Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Embarrassment for Asim Munir! BLA captures key city during field marshal's visit to Balochistan
As Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir issued warnings to India from Balochistan's capital Quetta, the BLA claimed control of the Surab city of the restive province read more Pakistan has promoted Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to rank of Field Marshal. YouTube/ISPR In a huge embarrassment for Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed control of Surab city of Balochistan as he was delivering a speech in the provincial capital of Quetta. Munir, while addressing the Command and Staff College, said he was in favour of a peaceful resolution to the 'Kashmir issue' and condemned what he called India's 'unlawful and legally untenable hydro-terrorism', in reference to the decision by New Delhi to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'While reiterating the resolve to defeat any aggression and ability to deal with threats across the entire conflict spectrum, the COAS asserted that Pakistan will never be coerced and inimical designs to distract Pakistan's efforts against war on terrorism will be comprehensively defeated. For strategic stability of South Asia, the COAS emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of longstanding internationally recognized Kashmir dispute, and warned against the unlawful and legally untenable 'hydro terrorism' by India,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military's media wing, said in a statement Friday (May 30). BLA claims control of Surab city While Munir spoke, the Baloch Liberation Group, a banned separatist group in Pakistan, announced that it had taken control of Surab city in Balochistan. The group, which has increased its activities recently, made this announcement to coincide with the field marshal's visit, likely aiming to challenge the military's claim of control in the restive province. At the same time, Munir expressed confidence that Pakistan's fight against terrorism would continue until it is completely successful, ensuring victory over all forms of extremism. Operation Herof The BLA is continuing its 'Operation Herof' against the Pakistani regime, launched in August 2024. Analysts consider the operation as the largest and most coordinated armed campaign as part of the Baloch self-determination movement. Even during the recent Indo-Pak conflict, the BLA claimed it conducted 71 attacks against the Pakistani regime at 51 locations. In addition to Pakistani rule in Balochistan, the BLA has also opposed Chinese presence in the region. The group has mounted attacks against the Chinese as well, in the province.
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CPM MP John Brittas cites Salman Khurshid to highlight India's secular fabric, slams Pakistan army chief in Jakarta
Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas delivered a strongly worded address in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday, where he criticized Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir for remarks allegedly suggesting fundamental differences between Hindus and Muslims. Speaking to the Indian diaspora as part of an all-party delegation, Brittas used the platform to underscore India's pluralistic and secular ethos. Referring to Munir's reported comments, Brittas asked: 'Can you ever vouch for that? And Salman Khurshid is here… We are all together. I am from Kerala… I am a Christian. In Kerala, we have three major religions. We coexist in harmony. That is the message of India.' Brittas highlighted Kerala's communal harmony as an example of India's inclusive character, contrasting it with Pakistan's record. He went on to reference a past interview with Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in which Asif allegedly admitted that Pakistan had long supported and harbored terrorist organizations: 'Pakistan has been asking for evidence. Khawaja Asif, the defence minister of Pakistan, had said in an interview that they have been indulging in this dirty job of nurturing and harbouring terrorist organisations for three decades...' The remarks signal a pointed critique not just of General Munir, but also of Pakistan's long-standing policies, while simultaneously promoting India's image as a country rooted in religious harmony and democratic values.
News18
12 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Tyranny Unmasked: General Asim Munir's Assault On Imran Khan & Pakistan's Democracy
Last Updated: Imran Khan's suffering is not just his own—it is a mirror held up to Pakistan's soul In the sweltering confines of Adiala Jail, former prime minister Imran Khan endures a torment that is not just physical but a calculated assault on Pakistan's democratic soul. General Asim Munir, the unelected arbiter of the nation's fate, has unleashed a mercenary cartel that thrives on fear, manipulation, and the systematic dismantling of dissent. Through unprecedented tactics—demanding a polygraph test, enforcing a cruel ban on family contact, and wielding Bushra Bibi as both bait and potential puppet—Munir's regime reveals a chilling playbook designed to crush Khan and the hopes of millions who see him as Pakistan's last bastion of resistance. But at what cost to the nation's future? A Polygraph to Silence Truth Why would a former prime minister, a figure of global stature, be subjected to a polygraph test, a measure unprecedented in Pakistan's legal and military history? The demand, tied to the May 9, 2023, riots, is not about justice but about humiliation. Khan's refusal to comply exposes the test for what it is: a theatrical ploy to paint him as a criminal, orchestrated by a military desperate to justify his incarceration. What does this say about a regime that resorts to such extra-legal measures to silence a political rival? Is this the rule of law or the rule of a junta cloaked in constitutional garb? A Family Torn Apart Khan's isolation in Adiala Jail is not just a punishment but a psychological weapon. A complete ban on meetings with his sisters and phone calls with his sons—despite court orders—strips him of basic human dignity. For six months, he was allowed only three calls with his children, confined to a dark cell for weeks without sunlight or electricity. Why must a man who led a nation be cut off from those who sustain his spirit? Is Munir's goal to break Khan's resolve, or to ensure his voice cannot rally the masses? This deliberate cruelty, echoes what Israeli generals are being accused of perpetrating in Gaza against innocent Palestinians. In the Muslim world, two tyrants come to mind, Yazeed and Pharoah. Bushra Bibi's role in this saga is as troubling as it is enigmatic. Her impassioned call to protesters at D-Chowk on November 26, 2024, promised unwavering resolve: 'I will never leave you." Yet, as the Islamabad Massacre unfolded, leaving unarmed citizens bloodied under Munir's brutal crackdown, she was nowhere to be found. Eyewitnesses place her in a bulletproof SUV, far from the frontline, before she vanished with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Why did she abandon the very people she vowed to lead? Her 10-day silence after the tragedy, coupled with unverified claims of abduction and gunfire, only deepens the mystery. Is she a victim of military coercion, a reluctant leader thrust into a role she cannot fulfill, or something more calculated—a potential successor should Khan be eliminated? Her sister Maryam Watoo's tweets, pleading for sympathy while Khan languishes in a C-class cell, ring hollow to loyalists who question her motives. What explains Bushra's failure to contact Khan since her bail on October 24, 2024? Is she a pawn in Munir's game, or a player whose actions betray the cause? A Nation at the Crossroads General Asim Munir's tactics—polygraphs, isolation, and manipulation—reveal a regime not of strength but of desperation. By targeting Khan, a leader whose popularity dwarfs that of his jailers, Munir risks alienating a nation already simmering with resentment. The Islamabad Massacre, where peaceful protesters faced live ammunition, is a stain on Pakistan's conscience, a testament to a military that rules not by consent but by force. How long can a nation endure such tyranny before it mobilises from a peaceful into a bloody revolution? What will it take for the international community to hold Munir's cartel accountable for its human rights abuses? Imran Khan's suffering is not just his own—it is a mirror held up to Pakistan's soul. Will we allow a mercenary cartel to dictate our future, or will we demand a return to the democratic ideals for which this nation was founded? The answers lie not in the shadows of Adiala Jail, but in the courage of those who dare to speak truth to power. Salman Ahmad is a UN Goodwill Ambassador and author of the book Rock and Roll Jihad. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. First Published: May 31, 2025, 11:11 IST
