Army chief warns against ‘hybrid conflict’ confronting Pakistan

Focus shifting to subversion on religious, sectarian, ethnic and social issues, says General Qamar Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: The chief of army staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has said that Pakistan is now faced with a ‘hybrid conflict’ which warrants a comprehensive national response.

“We are now confronting [a] hybrid conflict where focus is shifting to subversion on religious, sectarian, ethnic and social issues. This needs a comprehensive national response,” he said while addressing participants of the National Security Workshop-20 at the General Headquarters on Monday.



“We now have a greater responsibility to ensure that our people, especially the youth, stay aware and steadfast against propaganda onslaught being launched through soft offensive,” the military’s media wing, the ISPR, quoted the army chief as saying.

“It’s our time to rise and progress and we must grasp the opportunity achieved after countless sacrifice,” Gen Qamar said.

“Pakistan had been subjected to various threats, especially during the last two decades,” the army chief said and went on to add that the “nation and its armed forces are on a positive trajectory to defeat all threats facing the country”.



Gen Qamar said the Pakistani nation and its armed forces have bravely and successfully stood up to these challenges and are on a positive trajectory to defeat it effectively.

After a briefing on the security situation in Pakistan, challenges and response, the participants had an interactive session with the army chief.

The National Security Workshop is an annual event at the National Defence University, where participants include representatives from all segments of society.