MILITARY DIPLOMACY ELEVATES PAKISTAN STANDING

Aiman Khattak

COAS Gen. Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, stands as a
visionary military leader. His remarkable courage and strategic wisdom have played a
pivotal role in overcoming challenges and steering Pakistan towards new and innovative
military objectives. Recognizing the transformative leadership of Gen. Asim Munir, His
efforts and contributions have also been recognized by the Middle East Institute,
which recently published a report on his transformative leadership. Under Gen.
Asim Munir’s guidance, military diplomacy has taken center stage, becoming a
cornerstone of Pakistan’s approach to international affairs.
Gen. Munir’s visionary leadership in tackling Pakistan’s economic challenges
through collaboration with friendly nations has been lauded in the report. His adept
diplomatic skills were instrumental in securing funding from the United Arab
Emirates and Saudi Arabia, meeting the preconditions set by the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) for a crucial bailout package. This significant achievement
played a pivotal role in averting a potential balance of payments crisis and stabilizing the
Pakistani rupee, thereby ensuring economic stability for the nation.
Moreover he has spearheaded a significant shift from a geo-political approach
to a geo-economic one, charting a path toward self-reliance for Pakistan by
leveraging its resource advantages. He has been a strong advocate for bolstering
regional connectivity, trade, and investment, while also prioritizing peace and security
in the region.
He envisions a policy that would eliminate dependence and enhance selfsufficiency. To implement these initiatives swiftly, he founded a new investment
facilitation entity, ‘The Special Investment Facilitation Council’ (SIFC), under his
supervision in June 2023. Which chief objective is to entice foreign investments in
different sectors, such as mining, agriculture, information technology, and energy,
from affluent Gulf countries, China, and the United States.
In addition to that, Gen. Munir has also demonstrated his acumen in balancing
Pakistan’s relations with major powers, such as the United States and China. He is
intent on balancing Pakistan’s response to the expectations of both the United States and
China, while avoiding provoking either side.
He has pursued the improvement of Pakistan-US defense relations, reviving
US engagement with the country after a previous tendency to withdraw. A significant
example in this regard is the renewal of the Communications and Information Security
Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), a vital component of US-Pakistan defense
collaboration, through which the US has reiterated its offer to support Pakistan in
countering terrorism. To consolidate the relationship, Gen. Munir traveled to Washington
in mid-December for consultations with senior U.S. military and Biden administration
officials, aiming to enhance US-Pakistan military cooperation and to promote
investment in Pakistan’s diverse sectors.
Furthermore, Gen. Munir has placed considerable emphasis on the development
of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road
Initiative. This transformative endeavor aims to establish a vital link between China’s
Xinjiang province and Pakistan’s Gwadar port, unlocking immense economic
potential and fostering increased regional cooperation. On top of that, his
commitment to strengthening ties with China has resulted in accelerated progress and
implementation of CPEC projects, underscoring Pakistan’s recognition of the strategic
significance of this partnership. His dedicated efforts have reinvigorated the
previously stagnant CPEC initiatives. This revitalization of CPEC reflects Gen.
Munir’s unwavering dedication to advancing Pakistan’s economic security and
fostering a robust alliance with China.
Moreover, Gen. Asim Munir’s steadfast positions on regional matters also deserve
recognition. His unwavering commitment is evident in the consistent issuance of stern
warnings to India, firmly emphasizing that any acts of aggression will be met with
prompt and proportionate responses. Additionally, he firmly asserts that India is
engaged in a proxy war against Pakistan by providing support to terrorist groups.
Notably, Gen. Munir’s stern approach towards Afghanistan demonstrates a
departure from Pakistan’s traditional association with the Afghan Taliban. He
consistently emphasizes the significance of the Afghan government addressing
Pakistan’s security concerns and emphasizes the necessity for effective collaboration
between the two nations. The COAS explicit warning indicates that a failure to
address these concerns could result in a strong military response. Furthermore, the
deportation of Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan further illustrates his resolute
commitment to safeguarding national security interests.
To sum up, The COAS General Asim Munir’s leadership marks a
transformative period in Pakistan’s military and foreign policy. He has displayed his
vision and skills in advancing Pakistan’s national interests, focusing on geo-economics,
and balancing relations with major powers. He has also projected a positive image of
Pakistan, both at home and abroad, restoring Pakistan’s soft power. By skillfully
managing regional issues, Gen. Munir aims to position Pakistan as a neutral middle
power with a solid economic base. As his leadership shapes Pakistan’s direction, the
country’s role in the global arena is set for significant change.
Under Gen. Asim Munir’s one year of leadership as COAS, he has already
brought notable success to Pakistan. His strategic vision and effective policies have
yielded positive outcomes, laying a strong foundation for future achievements. As the
nation moves forward, it is expected that under Gen. Munir’s continued guidance,
Pakistan will experience even greater success in the coming years, further
solidifying its position on the global stage. InShaAllah!