Pakistan’s army chief flags non-state actors, disinformation as threats to global peace

Publishing date: 15 November 2024

Published in: Arab News

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir on Friday identified violent non-state actors and the spread of disinformation as significant challenges to global peace while addressing a gathering in the federal capital, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting international stability.
The army chief made the remarks during a special session of the Margalla Dialogue, an annual conference that convenes policymakers, scholars and experts to discuss critical national, regional and global issues, where he highlighted Pakistan’s role in fostering global peace.
Organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), a local think tank, the conference provided a platform for the army chief to emphasize Pakistan’s contributions and express concerns about the issue of cross-border militancy.
“Terrorism by violent non-state actors and state-sponsored entities remains a significant global challenge,” the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported him as saying.
“We expect the Afghan interim government to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan and to take strict measures in this regard,” he added.
The army chief’s statement comes against the backdrop of a surge in militant violence in Pakistan’s western provinces bordering Afghanistan.
Officials in Islamabad have frequently accused Afghan authorities of “facilitating” cross-border attacks by armed factions, such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which target civilians and security personnel— an allegation Kabul denies.
APP reported the army chief stated that Pakistan would not become part of any global conflict and would continue to play its role in promoting international peace and stability.
General Munir acknowledged the role of technology in disseminating information, though he cautioned that it also facilitated the rapid spread of disinformation.
He asserted that without comprehensive laws and regulations, disinformation and hate speech could destabilize political and social structures.
“Absence of proper regulations for freedom of expression is leading to the deterioration of moral values in societies worldwide,” he added.
The army chief expressed optimism about the country’s future, noting that about 63 percent of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30, adding that the country was endowed with immense natural resources and had emerged as a major global agricultural producer.
He highlighted Pakistan’s significant role in the global freelancing industry and noted that its geographical location and seaports could position it as a vital trade hub for countries around the world.