General
Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir has said that he holds no political ambitions and considers himself only a servant of the state, ANI reported citing Pakistan-based media.
According to Jang media group columnist Suhail Warraich, Munir made the remarks during a recent stopover in Brussels after his visit to the United States. Warraich wrote that Munir told him in person, and also said at a public gathering: “God has made me protector of the country. I do not desire any position other than that.”
He further quoted Munir as saying, “I am a soldier and my greatest desire is martyrdom.”
The comments come at a time when Pakistan’s political system continues to face speculation of military influence. Warraich’s Saturday column noted, “The talk started with politics and especially on the rumours that work is being done to change the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister. General Asim Munir clearly said in the Brussels meeting and in the two-hour-long meeting with me that the rumours about the change are completely false.”
Munir reportedly added that such claims did not originate from civil or military institutions but from elements seeking to destabilise the country.
Citing the same column, Dawn reported that Munir also cautioned India and Afghanistan. He was quoted as saying that Pakistan would respond if its peace was undermined through proxies or if Afghan Taliban were pushed into Pakistan. Warraich quoted him as saying, “He said that we have shown kindness and favours to Afghans for years, but instead of repaying them, a conspiracy is being hatched against us in collaboration with India.”
The Army Chief also pointed to Pakistan’s economic prospects, especially in mineral resources. He told the Daily Jang, “Pakistan has a rare earth treasure; with this treasure, Pakistan’s debt will also be reduced, and Pakistan will soon be counted among the most prosperous societies.”
Munir referred to the Reko Diq mining project and predicted that Pakistan could start earning at least USD 2 billion annually from next year, with higher returns in the coming years.
On foreign relations, he was quoted as saying, “We will not sacrifice one friend for the other,” while referring to ties with the US and China.