Army Chief Asim Munir Reaffirms Focus on Balochistan’s Development, Warns Against Foreign-Backed Violence

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Monday underscored the strategic and economic importance of Balochistan, reaffirming the military’s commitment to supporting the province’s development while countering militancy and external interference.

According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief was speaking during an interaction with participants of the 18th National Workshop on Balochistan at General Headquarters (GHQ). The workshop focused on Balochistan’s socio-economic challenges, development prospects and its broader strategic significance for Pakistan.

Addressing the participants, Field Marshal Munir praised the resilience, patriotism and sacrifices of the people of Balochistan, describing the province as central to Pakistan’s long-term prosperity and regional connectivity. He highlighted ongoing federal and provincial initiatives aimed at improving living standards, stressing that a people-centric development model was essential to unlocking Balochistan’s vast economic potential.

The army chief also acknowledged the role of civil society and academia, particularly in countering misinformation and propaganda. He said constructive civic engagement was critical for sustainable development and urged stakeholders to reject narrow political agendas in favour of long-term stability and inclusive growth for the province.

On the security front, Field Marshal Munir said that Indian-sponsored proxies continued attempts to foment violence and hinder development in Balochistan. He reiterated that such efforts would be firmly countered, adding that Pakistan’s security forces would continue operations to eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace in the province.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s broader security posture, the army chief said any violation of the country’s territorial integrity—whether direct or indirect—would draw a decisive response. He stressed that the Pakistan Armed Forces remained fully committed to safeguarding citizens and ensuring national stability.

The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, during which participants sought clarity on development priorities, security challenges and the military’s role in supporting governance and socio-economic uplift in Balochistan.