Future aggression against Pakistan to invite serious consequences: warns COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir while terming the country’s defence impregnable against any external aggression, on Sunday warned that any future hostile action against Pakistan would have serious, far-reaching and painful consequences.

“Alhamdulillah! today, Pakistan’s defence is fully impregnable against any external aggression, and any future hostile action against Pakistan will have serious, far-reaching and painful consequences,” the COAS vowed while addressing a special ceremony at the General Headquarters (GHQ) to commemorate the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq victory.

He said that Marka-e-Haq was not merely a war between two countries but a decisive clash between “two ideologies” in which truth ultimately prevailed.

The CDF said Pakistan emerged victorious with the support of Allah, while “falsehood faced humiliation and defeat.”

He went on to say said the day was a matter of pride for the entire nation, adding that the success demonstrated the country’s strength, unity, and resolve in the face of challenges.

Syed Asim Munir said the events of May 2025 were not isolated, but part of a long pattern of what he described as Indian hostility and propaganda against Pakistan. India’s perceived ambition to isolate Pakistan militarily and diplomatically, and alter the regional balance of power, would never succeed, he reiterated.

The COAS said Pak armed forces and people had never been intimidated in the past and would not be in the future.

He said the confrontation from the night of May 6-7 until May 10 was an unsuccessful attempt by the enemy to test Pakistan’s national resolve and dignity.

However, he said Pakistan, its people and the armed forces achieved an unparalleled victory in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos with the blessings of Allah.

The Field Marshal said that India wanted to isolate Pakistan and alter the balance of power in the region and her dream was to subject Pakistan to military aggression and diplomatic isolation. However, he vowed that Pakistan would never allow India’s “dream” to materialize.

He said that India had forgotten that Pakistan’s armed forces had never bowed to the dominance of power in the past and would never do so in the future.

Paying tribute to the unarmed women, elderly people, and innocent children martyred during Marka-e-Haq, the COAS said that Pakistan regarded the sacrifices of its martyrs as a sacred trust and viewed its strength as a responsibility.

He  said the message from the people and national leadership was clear that no compromise would be accepted on Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity.

He also said the battle was not only won on the battlefield but also at the national level across all sectors. “The entire nation stood like a solid wall in the defense of the homeland,” he said, noting that when Indian missiles fell, a large number of people came out in support of the country’s defense.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said that the false flag operations of 2001, 2008, 2016, and 2019 are a testament to the fact that India has repeatedly made failed attempts to impose an illegitimate war on Pakistan. Each time, Pakistan not only exposed the enemy’s miscalculations but also inflicted a decisive defeat on it, he said.

He said the objective of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos was to “unravel the enemy’s behaviour under which, to divert attention from its internal failures, it creates war hysteria by blaming Pakistan for every self-inflicted incident.”

The COAS expressed his gratitude to the president, the prime minister, the federal cabinet, the national and provincial political leadership, and all political parties for their political wisdom, foresight, and leadership that led Pakistan to success.
“The national leadership, all government institutions, and the Pakistani nation stood united in conveying that any compromise on the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national honour is unacceptable,” he said.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said that the brave “Shaheens” set an example in one of the longest and most decisive aerial engagements of the modern era. The Shaheens shot down the enemy’s advanced warplanes and destroyed its installations, he added.

He said India suffered severe human and financial losses during Marka-e-Haq, and the enemy would continue to pay the price for these losses in the times to come.

The COAS said that Pakistan’s strategic missiles and Shaheen systems successfully struck more than 26 enemy military targets.

He said future wars would be multi-domain in nature, involving long-range precision weapons, drones, cyber warfare, and artificial intelligence.

Asim Munir said Pakistan had already taken steps to adapt to modern warfare challenges, including establishing a Rocket Force and Defence Forces Headquarters to enhance coordination among the services.

He said Pakistan also achieved success on the diplomatic front, as its leaders and representatives effectively conveyed Pakistan’s stance on the global stage.

“Similarly, there is no parallel to the way the Pakistani media, the journalist community, and especially our youth thwarted the enemy’s propaganda, cyber warfare, and psychological tactics,” he added.

He also praised diplomatic efforts, saying Pakistan’s global engagement had improved its international standing.

The COAS said Pakistan’s national prestige had grown, earning global recognition, and that the country now has more friends than ever before.

He said a strategic mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia is a historic step towards advancing mutual security and diplomatic cooperation.

Regarding Pakistan’s efforts to bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, the COAS said Pakistan is currently hosting historic peace talks, demonstrating effective, responsible, and neutral diplomacy on the global stage.
He said Pakistan has earned the gratitude of the leadership of the United States and Iran, particularly the US president, for its role in facilitating sensitive diplomatic efforts.

“Pakistan continues to strive diligently to honour this trust through sincere efforts. Both countries have placed their trust in Pakistan for this challenging task,” he said.

Field Marshal Asim Munir said that India, having ruled out conventional warfare against Pakistan, is now resorting to terrorism. He urged Afghanistan to eliminate terrorist camps and safe havens within its territory.

He also paid tribute to the bravery of Pakistani citizens, the armed forces, and law enforcement agencies, and commended personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. “We will avenge the blood of every innocent Pakistani,” he said, vowing that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism would continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.

While reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, the COAS said that no story of Pakistan is complete without Kashmir.

He said Pakistan would continue to extend political, diplomatic, and moral support to the Kashmiri people on all fronts.

He said Pakistan also made all-out efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Palestine.

Earlier, COAS Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf laid floral wreaths at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Monument), offered Fateha, while contingents from the three armed forces presented a ceremonial salute.

Meanwhile, smartly turned out contingents of the three armed services presented salute to the chief guest. –Agencies