Pakistan will never accept Indian dominance in South Asia, declared Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday, as he reaffirmed the country’s firm stance on sovereignty, Kashmir, and water security amid heightened regional tensions following a recent military confrontation with India.
The statement came during the latest session of Hilal Talks — a strategic dialogue forum hosted by Pakistan’s military — attended by vice chancellors, senior academics, and faculty members. Addressing the gathering, Field Marshal Munir underscored the role of educators in shaping national identity, but his speech was largely focused on pressing geopolitical challenges, especially relations with India.
“Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony,” said the army chief, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). He reiterated Islamabad’s unwavering position on the disputed region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and condemned India’s growing regional assertiveness, particularly its controversial stance on shared water resources.
“Water is Pakistan’s red line, and we will not allow any compromise on this basic right of 240 million Pakistanis,” Munir said, referring to India’s recent move to “hold in abeyance” the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — a cornerstone of Indo-Pakistani relations since 1960. Pakistan considers any obstruction or diversion of its share of the Indus river system as an “act of war” and vows to respond using all elements of national power.
The remarks follow a tense military exchange between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, sparked by deadly violence in Pahalgam, IIOJK, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Delhi swiftly blamed Islamabad and launched airstrikes on Pakistani territory. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos (The Formidable Wall), a wide-scale military campaign targeting Indian military infrastructure.
The confrontation, known officially in Pakistan as Marka-e-Haq (The Battle for Truth), ran from April 22 to May 10. Field Marshal Munir credited Pakistan’s military success to national unity and divine support. “Marka-e-Haq is clear evidence that when a nation unites and stands like an iron wall, no power in the world can bring it down,” he said.
India’s alleged use of force without credible evidence reignited international focus on the Kashmir issue. Munir emphasized that Kashmir is not an internal Indian matter but a long-standing international dispute. “India must understand that Pakistan will never abandon Kashmir. There can be no compromise on this,” he said.
He also pushed back against India’s accusations of Pakistan-backed terrorism, describing them as attempts to deflect from domestic unrest and systemic discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims. “Terrorism is India’s internal problem. Kashmir is a global concern,” he stated.
Touching on internal security, Munir highlighted ongoing unrest in Balochistan, blaming India for fueling violence through proxy elements. He labeled the insurgent groups as foreign-sponsored actors with no connection to the true Baloch identity. “These terrorists are not Baloch. They are agents of disruption sponsored by India,” he said.
On the domestic front, the army chief called for institutional reform and national cohesion, stressing that the future of Pakistan depends on constitutional governance and the integrity of state institutions. “We must build a strong Pakistan where all institutions function according to law, without political pressure, and for the welfare of the people,” he asserted.
Praising the educational sector, Munir described teachers as “the greatest asset of Pakistan,” crediting his own personal development to the influence of his parents and educators. “Whatever I am today is because of them,” he said.
Participants in the session voiced strong support for the armed forces. “This safe homeland exists because of the sacrifices of our armed forces,” one attendee remarked during the Q&A segment.
The Hilal Talks concluded with a collective pledge to stand united for Pakistan’s sovereignty and future. According to ISPR, the forum serves as a platform for the academic community to engage in dialogue on national and international issues with military leadership.
The session ended with a shared sense of resolve and patriotism, as attendees reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger, more secure Pakistan.
