Daily Times

COAS Gen Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, stands as a visionary military leader. His remarkable courage and strategic wisdom have played a pivotal role in overcoming challenges and steering Pakistan towards new and innovative military objectives. The transformative leadership of Gen. Asim Munir, His efforts and contributions have also been recognized by the Middle East Institute, which recently published a report on his transformative leadership. Under Gen. Asim Munir’s guidance, military diplomacy has taken centre stage, becoming a cornerstone of Pakistan’s approach to international affairs.

Gen. Munir’s visionary leadership in tackling Pakistan’s economic challenges through collaboration with friendly nations has been lauded in the report. His adept diplomatic skills were instrumental in securing funding from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, meeting the preconditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a crucial bailout package. This significant achievement played a pivotal role in averting a potential balance of payments crisis and stabilizing the Pakistani rupee, thereby ensuring economic stability for the nation.

Moreover, he has spearheaded a significant shift from a geo-political approach to a geo-economic one, charting a path toward self-reliance for Pakistan by leveraging its resource advantages. He has been a strong advocate for bolstering regional connectivity, trade, and investment, while also prioritizing peace and security in the region.

Gen. Munir’s visionary leadership in tackling Pakistan’s economic challenges through collaboration with friendly nations has been lauded.

He envisions a policy that would eliminate dependence and enhance self-sufficiency. To implement these initiatives swiftly, he founded a new investment facilitation entity, ‘The Special Investment Facilitation Council’ (SIFC), under his supervision in June 2023. Which chief objective is to entice foreign investments in different sectors, such as mining, agriculture, information technology, and energy, from affluent Gulf countries, China, and the United States.

In addition to that, Gen. Munir has also demonstrated his acumen in balancing

Pakistan’s relations with major powers, such as the United States and China. He is intent on balancing Pakistan’s response to the expectations of both the United States and China while avoiding provoking either side.

He has pursued the improvement of Pakistan-US defence relations, reviving US engagement with the country after a previous tendency to withdraw. A significant example in this regard is the renewal of the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), a vital component of US-Pakistan defence collaboration, through which the US has reiterated its offer to support Pakistan in countering terrorism. To consolidate the relationship, Gen. Munir travelled to Washington in mid-December for consultations with senior U.S. military and Biden administration officials, aiming to enhance US-Pakistan military cooperation and to promote investment in Pakistan’s diverse sectors.

Furthermore, Gen. Munir has placed considerable emphasis on the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road

Initiative. This transformative endeavour aims to establish a vital link between China’s Xinjiang province and Pakistan’s Gwadar port, unlocking immense economic potential and fostering increased regional cooperation. On top of that, his commitment to strengthening ties with China has resulted in accelerated progress and implementation of CPEC projects, underscoring Pakistan’s recognition of the strategic significance of this partnership. His dedicated efforts have reinvigorated the previously stagnant CPEC initiatives. This revitalization of CPEC reflects Gen. Munir’s unwavering dedication to advancing Pakistan’s economic security and fostering a robust alliance with China.

Moreover, Gen. Asim Munir’s steadfast positions on regional matters also deserve recognition. His unwavering commitment is evident in the consistent issuance of stern warnings to India, firmly emphasizing that any acts of aggression will be met with prompt and proportionate responses. Additionally, he firmly asserts that India is engaged in a proxy war against Pakistan by providing support to terrorist groups.

Notably, Gen. Munir’s stern approach towards Afghanistan demonstrates a departure from Pakistan’s traditional association with the Afghan Taliban. He consistently emphasizes the significance of the Afghan government addressing Pakistan’s security concerns and emphasizes the necessity for effective collaboration between the two nations. The COAS explicit warning indicates that a failure to address these concerns could result in a strong military response. Furthermore, the deportation of Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan further illustrates his resolute commitment to safeguarding national security interests.

To sum up, COAS General Asim Munir’s leadership marks a transformative period in Pakistan’s military and foreign policy. He has displayed his vision and skills in advancing Pakistan’s national interests, focusing on geo-economics, and balancing relations with major powers. He has also projected a positive image of

Pakistan, both at home and abroad, restoring Pakistan’s soft power. By skillfully managing regional issues, Gen. Munir aims to position Pakistan as a neutral middle power with a solid economic base. As his leadership shapes Pakistan’s direction, the country’s role in the global arena is set for significant change.

Under Gen. Asim Munir’s one year of leadership as COAS, he has already brought notable success to Pakistan. His strategic vision and effective policies have yielded positive outcomes, laying a strong foundation for future achievements. As the nation moves forward, it is expected that under Gen. Munir’s continued guidance, Pakistan will experience even greater success in the coming years, further solidifying its position on the global stage. InShaAllah!

The writer is a graduate of Peace and Conflict Studies and a freelance columnist. She can be contacted at khattakaiman2@gmail.com