RAWALPINDI(National times)- Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has issued a sharp warning to India, declaring that Pakistan’s future response to any aggression would be “even more swift and intense.” The remarks came during his address to officers from all three armed services at General Headquarters following a guard of honour marking his appointment as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces. He said India must not remain under any illusions, adding that Pakistan’s reply in the event of hostilities would surpass previous responses in severity. His comments echoed the warning issued earlier in the day, in which he stated that India should not live in delusion and that the next response would be more forceful. Turning to Pakistan’s western frontier, Field Marshal Munir said a clear and unequivocal message had been conveyed to the Taliban regime in Kabul. He stated that the Afghan Taliban had been told they must choose between Pakistan or the “Fitna al-Khawarij,” referring to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He stressed that there was no third option. He reiterated that Pakistan is a peace-loving nation yet will not permit any actor to threaten its sovereignty, challenge its territorial integrity, or test its resolve. He emphasised that the country’s idea remained unconquerable due to the commitment of its soldiers and the unity of its people.
Defence Forces Headquarters
In his address, the Field Marshal highlighted the historic significance of the newly established Defence Forces Headquarters. He said the structural shift was essential in the face of evolving and expanding security threats, particularly the need to refine multi-domain operations under a unified system. He stated that the creation of the Defence Forces Headquarters represented a necessary step forward. Each service would retain its individuality for operational preparedness, while the central headquarters would ensure coordinated and harmonised functions across the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force. He affirmed that while command cohesion would be strengthened, the three forces would continue to preserve internal autonomy and organisational structure.
Ceremonial honour
During the ceremony, contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force presented a guard of honour to the new CDF. Among the attendees were Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and senior officers from all branches of the armed forces. The Ministry of Defence had issued the official notification for Field Marshal Munir’s appointment as CDF last week, following approval from President Asif Ali Zardari based on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice. The Field Marshal will continue to serve concurrently as Chief of Army Staff for five years. Syed Asim Munir became Pakistan’s second Field Marshal – and the first in more than six decades – after the country’s victory over India in the May war. The new designation of CDF emerged after the president approved amendments to the Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy Acts 2025 on 15 November. Under the amended Article 243, the powers and responsibilities afforded to a Field Marshal extend to any General elevated to the rank.
Guard of honour presented to Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir
Commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986, Field Marshal Munir graduated with the 17th Officers Training Course at Mangla. His career includes key instructional, staff and command roles, among them directing staff at the Command and Staff College in Quetta, brigade major of an infantry brigade in Kel, and general staff officer at the CGS Secretariat. He served as chief of staff of Mangla Corps and later as Quartermaster General at GHQ. His command experience spans the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, an infantry brigade, and the post of Force Commander in the Northern Areas, Gilgit. Field Marshal Munir also held senior intelligence appointments, first as Director General of Military Intelligence and then as Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence. After his tenure at ISI, he served as Corps Commander Gujranwala before returning to GHQ as Quartermaster General. His academic qualifications include graduation from the Fuji School in Japan, the Command and Staff College in Quetta, the Malaysian Armed Forces College in Kuala Lumpur, and the National Defence University in Islamabad. He holds an MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from NDU and is the first army chief to receive the Sword of Honour.
