ISLAMABAD – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday underscored the importance of an effective and service-driven civil bureaucracy in steering Pakistan’s development, while also cautioning Afghanistan against allowing Indian-backed terrorist groups to operate from its soil.
Addressing officers of the 52nd Common Training Program in Islamabad, the army chief reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peaceful and cooperative ties with Afghanistan, but urged Kabul to act responsibly.
“We only ask for one thing: do not provide space to India’s terrorist proxies — Fitna al-Hind and Fitna al-Khawarij,” he asserted.
Labeling Afghanistan a “brotherly, neighboring Islamic country,” the COAS emphasized that regional peace required curbing hostile actors operating within Afghan territory.
Highlighting the foundational role of a competent and transparent civil bureaucracy, Field Marshal Munir said the service-based structure is a vital component of Pakistan’s state apparatus. He stressed the need for institutional synergy and mutual respect between the civil and military leadership to ensure national progress.
The officers attending the session had previously undergone field training with Pakistan Army units in critical regions including Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
In his address, the army chief also touched on Pakistan’s evolving national security landscape, both internal and external, and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to preserving stability and peace across the region.
He urged the future bureaucrats to uphold the highest standards of integrity, patriotism, and professionalism, noting that strong civil-military cooperation is key to achieving strategic and developmental milestones.
The session concluded with a candid Q&A, reflecting a shared sense of national responsibility and commitment to advancing Pakistan’s global standing.
