Washington, August 10, 2025: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has hailed overseas Pakistanis as a national asset, describing them as a “brain gain” for the country, while vowing that Pakistan will deliver a forceful response to any Indian aggression.
Speaking to the Pakistani community during his ongoing visit to the United States, the army chief said: “Addressing Pakistanis in America is an honour. Overseas Pakistanis are a source of pride and dignity for the nation. They are passionate, patriotic, and always the first to respond in times of national crisis.” He stressed that Pakistan’s progress and prosperity are closely linked to the global Pakistani diaspora.
Criticising India, Field Marshal Munir accused New Delhi of projecting itself as a “Vishwaguru” while engaging in destabilising activities in the region. He cited examples of India’s alleged transnational terrorism through its intelligence agency RAW — including the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, the trial of eight Indian naval officers in Qatar, and the case of convicted spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
He said Pakistan had fought a successful diplomatic battle to expose India’s “double standards” internationally. Referring to recent Indian strikes, he termed them a grave violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, resulting in civilian deaths and bringing the region to the brink of a wider conflict. “Pakistan gave a firm and resolute response, preventing further escalation,” he noted.
The COAS reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is not India’s internal matter but an “unfinished international agenda” and the lifeline of Pakistan, as described by Quaid-e-Azam. He reiterated Islamabad’s full support for UN Security Council resolutions on the dispute and warned that any Indian aggression would meet a “befitting response.”
On counterterrorism, he said Pakistan remains the “final bulwark” against terrorism and has no sympathy for militants. “They will face justice with the full force of the state,” he asserted.
Field Marshal Munir also highlighted the double-edged nature of social media, calling it a powerful tool that hostile elements can exploit to spread chaos.
Discussing Pakistan-US relations, he said his second visit to Washington in just six weeks symbolised a “new dimension” in bilateral ties. He expressed optimism for major investments under a potential trade agreement and confirmed ongoing implementation of various memorandums of understanding with the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and China.
Concluding his address, he attributed Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military successes to “the blessings of Allah, collective national effort, the foresight of political leadership, and the professionalism of the armed forces,” adding: “The question is no longer whether we will rise — but how soon and how strongly we will rise.”
