Pakistan army chief warns hostile elements exploiting ‘internal fault lines’

Pakistan Army Chief and Chief of Defense Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, on Tuesday warned that hostile elements are increasingly using proxies to exploit internal fault lines, highlighting the country’s complex security environment.

He made the remarks during a visit to the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad, where he was briefed by civil and military participants of the ongoing National Security and War Course.

During an interactive session, Field Marshal Munir highlighted the evolving global, regional, and internal security challenges facing Pakistan. He said threats extend beyond conventional military confrontations to include sub-conventional, intelligence, cyber, information, and economic dimensions.

Addressing these challenges, he emphasized the need for comprehensive multi-domain preparedness, continuous adaptation, and close synergy among all elements of national power.

Regarding emerging threats, the army chief said: “Hostile elements are increasingly resorting to indirect and ambiguous approaches, including the use of proxies, to exploit internal fault lines rather than engaging in overt confrontation.”

He stressed that “preparing future leaders to remain alert, recognize emerging threats and effectively counter complex, multi-layered cognitive and hybrid challenges” is critical for safeguarding national security.

Field Marshal Munir also underscored the importance of clarity in decision-making under uncertainty and intellectual resilience as essential leadership attributes in today’s contested and diffused security environment.

He praised the NDU’s role as a premier institution for developing strategic thinkers capable of translating academic insight and professional training into effective policy formulation and operational outcomes. He reaffirmed that professional military education is central to strengthening institutional capacity, fostering indigenous capabilities, and ensuring long-term national resilience.

Concluding his address, the Field Marshal commended participants for their analytical rigor and thoughtful conclusions, urging them to remain vigilant, adaptive and steadfast in upholding integrity, discipline and selfless service.