Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has once again underscored a strongly religious interpretation of the country’s national purpose, declaring that Pakistan stands at a historic moment where it can finally achieve the “noble purpose of its creation.” His remarks, made during an interaction withThe News Internationalon the sidelines of a high-profile political wedding in Lahore, have sparked debate over what exactly he is signalling — both domestically and regionally.
Munir said Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and now enjoys a “special status” among Islamic countries, attributing the country’s perceived progress to divine blessings. He claimed Pakistan’s global standing and economic position had improved and would gain even wider recognition in the future.
Observers believe Munir may be pointing to Pakistan’s growing defence and strategic engagement with Islamic nations. Islamabad recently signed a defence arrangement with Saudi Arabia that reportedly includes nuclear deterrence assurances, while discussions are said to be underway for a broader security framework involving Turkey. These moves suggest an attempt to position Pakistan as a military and ideological pillar of the Islamic world.
Munir’s comments also come amid renewed international engagement, including meetings with US President Donald Trump, where Pakistan has reportedly pitched itself as a partner in Middle East stabilisation efforts, including Gaza. At the same time, critics note that Munir continues to project Pakistan’s limited four-day conflict with India in May 2025 as a strategic success, despite evidence of significant damage to Pakistani airbases and command infrastructure during India’s Operation Sindoor.
Unlike many of his predecessors, Munir has openly blended faith with military leadership. A Hafiz-e-Quran and the only officer to have led both Military Intelligence and the ISI, he has overseen a marked ideological shift within Pakistan’s armed forces. Under his command, the military increasingly frames its mission as defending Islam alongside the state, using religious terminology to describe internal insurgents and external adversaries.
In earlier speeches, Munir has repeatedly invoked the Two-Nation Theory as Pakistan’s ideological foundation, emphasising what he describes as irreconcilable civilisational differences between Muslims and Hindus. He has argued that Pakistan’s identity is rooted in the Kalima, the Islamic declaration of faith, and urged citizens to pass this ideological narrative to future generations.
Given this backdrop, Munir’s assertion that Pakistan is close to fulfilling its founding purpose appears less about economic revival or democratic consolidation, and more about cementing an Islamist-nationalist identity, strengthening military ties with Islamic states, and reinforcing opposition to India. Analysts warn that such rhetoric carries serious implications for regional stability, especially after recent military tensions between India and Pakistan.
