Pakistan might follow India’s 2019 Balakot style to eliminate…, Army chief’s big statement suggests …

The army chief's statement indicates a shift towards major policy changes.

Islamabad: A statement made by Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir on Tuesday, March 18 has caused a stir. General Munir emphasized transforming Pakistan into a hard state and described it as a necessary measure for the country’s existence. This statement is significant because the army chief is considered the real ruler in Pakistan. It comes at a time when Baloch rebels and TTP extremists have shaken the Pakistani army with their attacks.

Recently, several soldiers of the Pakistani army were killed in Balochistan. Thus, the army chief’s statement indicates a shift towards major policy changes in Pakistan.

After General Munir’s statement, the question arises as to whether Pakistan is going to become a military state. Or does it mean that Pakistan is now preparing for military action in Iran and Afghanistan? If so, what would that mean? A senior political analyst from Pakistani Dr Qamar Cheema has analyzed this statement.

Dr Qamar Cheema says that Pakistan’s statement means the Pakistani army is now ready to act inside Afghanistan. It also hints at plans for action against Baloch insurgents present in the border areas with Afghanistan and Iran.

He stated that Pakistan will now attack across the border just like India. Cheema said that the statement from Pakistan’s hard state means that wherever danger is perceived, Pakistan will not wait for it to come but will go to that place and eliminate it. Cheema cited India’s example when in 2019 the Indian Air Force conducted an airstrike in Balakot. Cheema said that India had claimed it acted in response to being attacked. He asserted that Pakistan should also strike anywhere it perceives a threat and should act like India.

Dr Qamar Cheema has also advised Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to build diplomatic and strategic relations with nations besides Muslim nations in order to boost defense cooperation.

“Pakistan needs to look beyond its traditional allies, China and a few Muslim nations like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc. and build ties with other nations so that Islamabad does not remain dependent on these countries to purchase arms and armaments,” he said.