Latest news with #SyedAsimMunir


Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, Libya agree to enhance defence ties
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Libya have agreed to enhance defence cooperation through industrial collaboration and exchange of technical expertise to counter emerging security challenges. The development came during a high-level meeting between Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Thursday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the discussions focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional dynamics, and defence collaboration. Earlier, upon his arrival at GHQ, the Libyan commander was presented with a guard of honour and laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan Army. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Libyan army chief meets Chief Marshal Munir, vows defence cooperation
Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Friday, the military's media wing said. During the meeting, the two military leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, regional developments, security challenges, and avenues for enhanced defence cooperation. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), both sides agreed to collaborate in the defence industrial domain and exchange technical expertise to deal with emerging security threats. Pakistan, Indonesia reaffirm defence cooperation Earlier, Lieutenant General Haftar was welcomed at GHQ with a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army. He also laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs' Monument) to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers.


Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Field Marshal Munir, Indonesian defence minister discuss strengthening military ties: ISPR
Minister of Defence of Indonesia Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday and discussed about enhancing bilateral military ties, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Sjamsoeddin, leading a delegation comprising representatives from various services and intelligence agencies, met the chief of army staff at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The military's media wing said during the meeting both sides exchanged views on bilateral defence collaboration, regional security dynamics and avenues to further strengthen military ties. 'The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The field marshal highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the region,' the ISPR said. On this occasion, the Indonesian defence minister appreciated the role of Pakistan Army in fight against terrorism and reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to enhancing defence relations with Pakistan.


Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Dodgy claims
EDITORIAL: In response to Indian Deputy Army Chief Lieutenant General Rahul Singh's recent claim that China provided 'live impetus' to Pakistan during the four-day military confrontation last May, Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has categorically dismissed the assertion as 'irresponsible and incorrect.' Speaking at the National Defence University, he described India's attempt to implicate other nations in a purely bilateral conflict as a 'shoddy attempt' at camp politics, especially given India's position as a member of the Quad, a US-led security alliance focused on countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The Field Marshal further criticised India's attempts to position itself as the 'net security provider' in a region increasingly wary of its hegemonic ambitions and extremist Hindutva ideology. China also weighed in on the matter, with its Foreign Ministry issuing a statement on Monday affirming that its defence and security cooperation with Pakistan is part of normal bilateral relations and does not target any third party. India's efforts to deflect responsibility for its setbacks during the conflict are not only an attempt to salvage national pride but also a reflection of a deeper miscalculation in its military capabilities and strategic posture. The confrontation, which escalated rapidly, saw India launching missile and drone strikes deep into mainland Pakistan, blatantly disregarding international law. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing Islamabad without evidence of involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, referred to the unprovoked strikes as the 'new normal.' Expecting to gain an upper hand with its newly acquired Rafale jets and other advanced Western weaponry, India was caught off guard by Pakistan's swift and effective response. Not only did Pakistan repel the missile and drone assaults, but it also downed six Indian aircraft, including three of India's prized Rafale jets. This is particularly significant given that in 2019, after India's airstrike on Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Modi had lamented that had India possessed Rafale jets at the time, 'the result would have been different.' While India had bolstered its military capabilities with cutting-edge Western technology, Pakistan deployed J-10C fighters armed with PL-15 beyond visual range (BVR) missiles, obtained from its strategic partner, China. Pakistan also integrated AI-driven systems into its defence network, attaining a clear tactical advantage in real-time combat situations. Pakistan has consistently demonstrated its military prowess in past conflicts over Kashmir, and this latest confrontation further solidified its operational capabilities. Lt-Gen. Singh's claim of Chinese involvement in the bilateral conflict is not only an attempt to deflect attention but also an indication of India's unwillingness to confront its own strategic miscalculations. By pointing to China, India hopes to maintain the narrative of its military superiority. However, such diversionary tactics will only go so far. Both the international community and astute domestic observers can see through the official rhetoric, recognising that the real issue lies in India's overconfidence and its failure to accurately assess its own military limitations. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM to visit China next month
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year in Islamabad on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to lead a high-powered delegation to China next month in a visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and reviewing regional developments, including the May conflict between India and Pakistan. According to officials familiar with the development, the prime minister will be accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The visit is likely to take place in August, with exact dates currently being finalised through diplomatic channels. The upcoming trip by Pakistan's top civil and military leadership carries added significance in the wake of the four-day military conflict with India during which Pakistan gained the upper hand, with its Air Force shooting down six Indian fighter jets, including the French-made Rafale. The conflict drew attention to China's military hardware, with several Western capitals closely monitoring the developments in South Asia. Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets and beyond-visual-range PL-15 missiles played a critical role. However, it was Pakistan's indigenous systems integration that made the Chinese hardware even lethal. During a recent visit to Pakistan, the chief of the Chinese Air Force expressed a keen interest in learning from Pakistan's combat experience and multi-domain operations. In a related development, the Indian Deputy Chief of Army Staff recently claimed that India was engaged in a two-front conflict, while pointing out Chinese involvement in Pakistan's military success. Pakistan procures 80 per cent of its military hardware from China. However, the Pakistan army chief at a recent Corps Commanders' meeting clarified that the May conflict was "unmistakably bilateral". When asked about the Indian general's claim, a senior Chinese official reportedly laughed off the assertion. The official reaffirmed that while Pakistan and China enjoy long-standing defence cooperation, Beijing has no desire to see conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. He noted that China consistently encourages both countries to resolve disputes through dialogue. Meanwhile, ahead of the prime minister's scheduled visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to travel to Beijing this week. According to a Foreign Office statement, Dar will lead the Pakistani delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting, taking place from July 14 to 16 in Tianjin, China. The visit comes at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Foreign ministers from all SCO member states, including Pakistan, China, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, will participate in the CFM. Belarus will attend for the first time as a full member. The CFM is the third-highest decision-making body within the SCO framework. It deliberates on issues related to international relations and the foreign and security policies of member states. The council also finalises key documents, declarations and decisions that are later considered by the Council of Heads of State (CHS). The next CHS meeting is scheduled for August 31 to September 1, 2025, in Tianjin. During his trip, Dar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the CFM session.