Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has warned India of a more “severe response” if it resorts to any aggression against Pakistan in the future.
“India should not be in any delusion [as] Pakistan’s response [in case of any aggression] will be even more swift and intense,” CDF Munir said while speaking to the officers of the armed forces following a guard of honour ceremony held at the GHQ to honour him on being appointed as the country’s first CDF.
Pakistan, under the leadership of CDF and COAS Munir, had given a befitting response to India in May.
Speaking on Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, the Field Marshal said that a clear message had been given to the Afghan Taliban regime in Kabul.
“The [Afghan] Taliban have no option but to choose between Fitna al-Khawarij [TTP] or Pakistan,” he remarked.
Reiterating that Pakistan is a peace-loving country, the CDF warned that no one will be allowed to threaten the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, or test its resolve.
Speaking on the newly-established Defence Forces Headquarters (DHQ), Field Marshal Munir termed the fundamental change “historic”, saying that it was necessary to further improve multi-domain operations under the unified system of the three forces – the army, the air force and the navy.
“In view of the growing and changing threats, it is necessary to do so. The establishment of Defence Forces Headquarters is a necessary step towards this change,” the CDF highlighted while stressing that each service will maintain its individuality for its operational preparedness.
“The Defence Forces’ Headquarters will integrate the operations of the [three] services and will make them compatible. With the synergy of the high command, the three services will maintain their [individual] autonomy and organisational structure,” he added.
Lauding the extraordinary courage and resolve of the Pakistani nation, CDF said that the multi-domain operations of the Marka-e-Haq had become a “case study” for future wars.
“Wars have now expanded to cyberspace, electromagnetic spectrum, space, information operations, AI, quantum computing; [therefore], the armed forces will have to adapt to new requirements of war,” he said while stressing that the armed forces will have to adapt to new requirements of war.
He further paid tribute to the martyrs, saying they’ll always be the “pride of the nation”.
Additionally, awards were also bestowed during the ceremony to the heroes of Marka-e-Haq from the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force to recognise their acts of valour during the war.
Meanwhile, earlier, the CDF was presented a guard of honour by contingents of all three services – the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force.
The event was attended by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and senior officers from all three armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence on Friday issued an official notification for the appointment of Field Marshal Munir as the CDF.
The CDF – who was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal earlier this year – will concurrently serve as Chief of Army Staff for five years.
COAS Munir was elevated to the rank of field marshal – Pakistan’s second and the first in more than six decades – following the country’s resounding victory over India in the May war.
The establishment of the new military title, i.e., the CDF, follows President Zardari’s assent on November 15 to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy (Amendment) Bills 2025, after their approval by parliament.
Under the amended provisions, Article 243, which governs the powers and responsibilities of a Field Marshal, will also apply to any General promoted to the rank.