Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, during his visit to the US, redefined overseas Pakistanis as a “brain gain” rather than a “brain drain,” praising their contributions and emotional ties to the homeland. Addressing the diaspora, he encouraged active participation in attracting investments and expressed optimism about Pakistan’s economic future. His engagements included high-level meetings with US political and military leaders, including Centcom’s Change of Command Ceremony, and discussions on finalizing a US-Pakistan trade deal, as hinted by former President Donald Trump.
Munir sharply criticized India’s regional ambitions, accusing its intelligence agencies of transnational terrorism, referencing cases like the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the arrest of spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan. He condemned India’s aggressive posturing as a violation of sovereignty and warned against destabilizing miscalculations. The COAS credited Pakistan’s diplomatic and military resolve for preventing broader conflict, while acknowledging US President Trump’s role in de-escalating tensions.
On economic fronts, Munir highlighted progress on memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the US, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, aiming to boost investment and cooperation. He emphasized the potential of Pakistan’s youth, who comprise 64% of the population, as key drivers of the nation’s future. Reiterating Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, he declared it an unresolved international issue and reaffirmed support for UN resolutions, calling it the country’s “jugular vein.”
The COAS concluded by underscoring the importance of countering terrorism and misinformation, vowing to dismantle anti-state networks, including the TTP, which operates from Afghanistan. His back-to-back US visits signal a renewed push for stable Pakistan-US relations, grounded in mutual economic and strategic interests. Munir’s remarks reflect a dual focus: leveraging global Pakistani talent for national growth while steadfastly defending security and sovereignty.