Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir said on Wednesday that Pakistan would not be intimidated by India's military strength or its modern technology, declaring that the country was ready to fight 10 wars if needed for Kashmir.
Addressing the elders and citizens of Muzaffarabad, the army chief assured that despite the temporary challenges facing the nation, Pakistan would continue to stand by its Kashmiri brethren in their just and legitimate cause against Indian state-sponsored oppression.
"Pakistan has already fought three wars for Kashmir, and if 10 more wars are required, Pakistan will fight them," the army chief said. "Pakistan will not be intimidated by India's military strength or its modern technology," he added.
"Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein. If the jugular vein is severed, death occurs. Kashmir is our life," he emphasised. "Without any doubt Kashmir will be free one day and become part of Pakistan – the destiny of the people of Kashmir."
He said that Indian atrocities and rising Hindutva extremism only strengthened the resolve of the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. He also said that in the present-day world, the voice of those with power was heard, "and Pakistan is a powerful country".
Gen Asim said that Pakistan was on the path to progress, stressing that the those who were saying that the country would default were lying. With the economic progress in just one year, he said, Pakistan had even surprised the IMF [International Monetary Fund] and World Bank.
He highlighted that the country possessed vast natural resources. Pakistan had a vast natural gas pipeline network worth $48 billion, besides the mineral resources worth $7 trillion. "Any country with such valuable natural resources can never default," he declared.
Gen Asim told the notables and veteran Kashmiris that he had spent part of his career in the scenic areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) like the Neelum Valley, Chakothi, and Pandu. He expressed his keen interest in promoting tourism in AJK.
He urged that the Pakistanis should bring their investments to the region, where the locals could provide services in the tourism sector and make a living. He announced that the government had signed an agreement with Starlink and soon the fastest internet services would be available.
Gen Syed Asim visited Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, where he paid homage to the Kashmiri martyrs for their supreme sacrifices, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military. Upon arrival in the AJK capital, he was received by the Rawalpindi corps commander.
Later, the army chief visited the Martyrs' Monument and paid rich tributes to unparalleled sacrifices of the Shuhada. During the visit, he commended the unwavering dedication, professional excellence, and combat readiness of the deployed officers and soldiers in the face of challenging operational conditions.
He lauded high morale and vigilance of the troops, emphasising the importance of maintaining peak operational preparedness to deter and counter any hostile provocations. He expressed his complete confidence in the battle readiness of the armed forces.
The chief of the army staff reaffirmed that no act of aggression would go unanswered and underscored Pakistan Army's commitment to defend the nation's sovereignty and its territorial integrity with full resolve.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
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