KEY POINTS
- Field Marshal Munir said the newly established Defence Forces Headquarters marks a historic structural change for Pakistan’s military.
- He stressed that evolving threats require stronger multi-domain operations under a unified tri-service system.
- The CDF warned India against any “delusion”, saying Pakistan’s next response would be “even swifter and more severe.”
- He stated the Taliban regime has been given a clear choice: eliminate the Khawarij threat or face consequences for allowing it to operate.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Monday warned India of an intense and swift response to any aggression and issued a clear ultimatum to Afghanistan’s Taliban regime over harbouring terrorists.
Field Marshal Munir also highlighted the establishment of the Defence Forces Headquarters as a historic step toward strengthening Pakistan’s joint military command.
The Chief of Defence Forces was addressing officers from all three armed forces of Pakistan at a special guard of honour ceremony.
Following his appointment as the South Asian country’s first Chief of Defence Forces, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir was presented with a guard of honour at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu were also present at the ceremony.
The Chief of Defence Forces was presented with the guard of honour by contingents from all three armed forces, in recognition of his elevation to the position of CDF.
Speaking at the ceremony, Field Marshal Munir emphasised multi-domain integration, joint operational command, and maintaining service-level readiness across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The CDF also underlined Pakistan’s preparedness to respond to any threats to its security.
Field Marshal Munir emphasised that each service will continue to maintain its operational individuality and internal organisational autonomy, though the Defence Forces Headquarters will synchronise and coordinate joint operational responses.
He added that unity at the highest command level does not dilute the distinct preparedness of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Issuing a pointed warning to New Delhi, the CDF said India “must not remain under any illusion or self-deception,” asserting that Pakistan’s next response to aggression would be “even swifter and more intense.”
On Afghanistan, he said the Taliban regime has been delivered a clear message that it must choose between the Khawarij-led terrorist threat and Pakistan, adding there remains “no third option.”
Field Marshal Munir reiterated that Pakistan is a peace-loving nation but will never allow any actor to undermine its sovereignty or test its resolve.
“All must know that Pakistan’s defence is impregnable, safeguarded by soldiers driven by faith and by the firm commitment of a united nation,” he said.
Appointment of Pakistan’s First Chief of Defence Forces
On Friday, the Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was notified as the South Asian country’s first Chief of Defence Forces.
The new arrangement consolidates operational, administrative and strategic authority in a single office established through amendments to Article 243 of the Constitution under the 27th Amendment.
The revised Article 243 provides that the president, acting on the prime minister’s advice, shall appoint the Chief of the Army Staff, who will concurrently serve as the Chief of Defence Forces.
