- Field Marshal Gen Munir declares Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony
- Says water is Pakistan’s red line, ruling out any compromise on rights of 240m citizens
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm stance on regional sovereignty, saying that Pakistan will never accept India’s hegemony and drawing a firm line on issues ranging from water rights to the Kashmir dispute.
Speaking during a special wide-ranging session with vice chancellors, principals, and senior faculty members of various universities, Field Marshal Munir described water issue as “Pakistan’s red line.”
Asserting that the fundamental rights of Pakistan’s 240 million citizens would be defended uncompromisingly, he warned, “This right will not be allowed to be violated.”
Addressing the gathering at General Headquarters, Field Marshal Munir underscored Pakistan’s unwavering stance on key national issues, particularly the country’s water security, the Kashmir dispute, and the threat of terrorism.
He emphasised that safeguarding natural resources, territorial sovereignty, and national unity remain top priorities for the armed forces.
He lauded educators as “the biggest asset of Pakistan,” crediting them for shaping future generations. “Whatever I am today, I am because of my parents and teachers,” he said, calling on teachers to instil a strong national narrative in youth and guide them with values of patriotism, integrity, and service.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, he said, “No deal for Kashmir is possible. We can never forget Kashmir. Pakistan will never accept India’s monopoly.”
He criticised India’s ongoing attempts to suppress the Kashmir issue, calling them futile in today’s global landscape. He also pointed out that India’s growing extremism and oppression of minorities are internal crises, whereas Kashmir remains a recognised international issue.
Field Marshal Munir identified terrorists operating in Balochistan as “Fitna al-Hindustan,” clarifying they do not represent the Baloch people and are part of a broader campaign to destabilise Pakistan.
“We have to make Pakistan a strong state where all institutions work for the welfare of the people according to the law, under the Constitution, free from political pressure and personal gain,” he said, urging vigilance against narratives aimed at weakening the state.
The session concluded with an expression of solidarity from the academic community. “We are proud of Pakistan and our armed forces and will continue to stand by them,” participants said during a Q&A session, reinforcing the collective resolve to protect and uphold Pakistan’s sovereignty and unity.
India has announced holding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, an agreement brokered by the World Bank between Islamabad and New Delhi in 1960 to share the water available in the Indus River and its tributaries.
Under the deal, Pakistan was given the right on three rivers, namely Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, while India was granted the right on the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers.
Pakistan, which is heavily dependent on waters from three rivers allotted to it under IWT, has declared that any move to stop or divert its share of water will be considered “an act of war” and that it will use the full spectrum of national power to protect its water share.
