ISLAMABAD, DEC 8 /DNA/ – The geopolitical climate after the May 2025 Pakistan-India conflict has created a more conducive environment for Islamabad to advance the Kashmir cause through constructive diplomacy. In this regard, Pakistan’s enhanced regional stature and its strengthening relationship with the US should be leveraged to reinvigorate international attention toward Kashmir in line with UN resolutions. At the same time, Pakistan should exercise caution regarding India’s hegemonic ambitions and shifting strategic alignments in the region.

Such diplomatic openings matter because Kashmir is not a territorial dispute; it is an issue rooted in the denial of the right to self-determination. Despite decades of Indian repression, the Kashmiri people continue to demonstrate unwavering resolve in their pursuit of a just and dignified solution.

This was observed by speakers representing a diverse set of the Kashmiri diaspora during a session titled “Kashmir: Current Situation and a Possible Future Scenario,” held at the Institute of Policy Studies. The participants included Khalid Rahman, chairman IPS, Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice-chairman IPS, Dr Waleed Rasool, senior research fellow IPS, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, secretary general of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, and representatives of different Kashmiri-led global awareness forums.

Participants said that before May 2025, Kashmir was a forgotten issue. Despite the efforts of the Kashmiri diaspora across the world, scant attention was paid to the severity of human rights abuses in IIOJ&K. However, following Pakistan’s sweeping victory over India, the Kashmir resistance movement has been internationalized, and its unresolved status as a threat to regional security re-realized.

Speakers suggested that moving forward, building on its political, diplomatic, and military proficiency, Pakistan should leverage its close ties with the incumbent American leadership to resolve the Kashmir issue. To do so, Pakistan’s political leadership should engage with and convince the American leadership to make India abide by the UN resolutions on Kashmir. As part of this engagement, pressure on India should also be created to answer for human rights violations in IIOJ&K and the release of Kashmiri prisoners.

Furthermore, the international community also needs to be sensitized about a nuclear threat in South Asia that would keep looming until India abides by the UN resolutions on Kashmir.

Participants emphasized that the effectiveness of Pakistan’s Kashmir policy would depend on a coherent national position, backed by political consensus and articulated through a comprehensive document for international forums, including the UN and OIC. They called for the formation of a specialized professional team within the Foreign Ministry, both legal and political, to present Pakistan’s case globally with clarity and factual grounding.

Participants discussed the role of the diaspora community and observed that unity within the Kashmiri diaspora is critical for effective global advocacy. The diaspora was urged to engage international institutions and legal forums proactively and to highlight human rights abuses, incarceration of Kashmiri leaders, and demographic engineering in IIOJ&K. Engagement with civil society voices in India, supportive of human rights, was also encouraged.

Concluding the session, participants reiterated that unity among Kashmiris – both within the Valley and across the diaspora – is essential for amplifying their voice. A consolidated platform with a unified message, they stressed, is the need of the hour to counter divisive policies and sustain global awareness regarding the situation in IIOJ&K.

RAWALPINDI, DEC 8 /DNA/ – Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces was presented with Tri Services Guard of Honour at the General Headquarters (GHQ) today to mark the institution of the appointment of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF). Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI(M), Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Air Staff and senior military officers of the three services attended the ceremony.

Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces while addressing the officers of the tri services reiterated the extraordinary courage and conviction displayed by the complete Pakistani nation, particularly the professionalism of the valiant men and women of the Armed Forces of Pakistan during Marka-e-Haq. He highlighted that the Multi Domain Operations of Marka-e-Haq have now become a textbook example and case study for future warfare. The COAS & CDF paid deep homage to the martyrs who would always remain the pride of the nation.

Emphasizing on the necessity of a formalized arrangement for tri-services integration and synergy he highlighted that Armed Forces have to remain aligned with the new realities of warfare which are now expanding to an exhaustive array of emerging technologies in cyber space, electro-magnetic spectrum, outer-space, Information Operations, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing. He termed the newly instituted CDF Headquarters as historic, which will afford requisite integration, coherence and coordination to meet the dynamics of future threat spectrum under a tri-services umbrella.

In his closing remarks he encapsulated the vision for the Armed Forces to be a culturally futuristic, combat ready military machine that deters aggression and enjoys full confidence of the Nation.

The ceremony included presentation of awards to the heroes of Marka-e-Haq from Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force to recognize their acts of valour during the war.

RAWALPINDI, DEC 8: Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has warned India of more “severe response” if it resorted to any aggression against Pakistan.

“India should not be in any delusion [as] Pakistan’s response [in case of any aggression] will be even more swift and intense,” CDF Munir said while speaking to the officers of the armed forces following a guard of honour ceremony held at the GHQ to honour him on being appointed as the country’s first CDF.

During the ceremony, the CDF was presented a guard of honour by contingents of all three services — the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force.

The event was attended by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and senior officers from all three armed forces.

The Ministry of Defence on Friday issued an official notification for the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

The notification was issued a day after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The CDF — who was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal earlier this year — will concurrently serve as Chief of Army Staff for five years

COAS Munir was elevated to the rank of field marshal — Pakistan’s second and the first in more than six decades — following the country’s resounding victory over India in the May war.

The establishment of the new military title, i.e., the CDF, follows President Zardari’s assent on November 15 to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy (Amendment) Bills 2025, after their approval by parliament.

Under the amended provisions, Article 243, which governs the powers and responsibilities of a Field Marshal, will also apply to any General promoted to the rank.

CDF’s brief profile
Field Marshal and CDF Munir was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He passed out with the 17th Officers Training Course at Mangla.

He has held several key military positions, including directing staff at Command and Staff College, Quetta; brigade major of a deployed infantry brigade in Kel; general staff officer, grade-2 at the CGS secretariat; and chief of staff of Mangla Corps. He also served as Quartermaster General at the General Headquarters.

Field Marshal Munir has commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment and an infantry brigade, and has served as force commander in the Northern Areas, Gilgit.

He has held top intelligence positions, including Director General of Military Intelligence (MI) and head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). After heading ISI, he was posted as Corps Commander Gujranwala and then as Quartermaster General — his last assignment before becoming army chief.

He graduated from Fuji School, Japan; Command and Staff College, Quetta; Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur; and National Defence University, Islamabad.

He also holds an MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from the National Defence University. CDF Field Marshal Munir is the first army chief to be awarded the Sword of Honour.

PESHAWAR, DEC 7: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday rejected “claims” that his province was negligent in security matters, urging the federal government to change its policies instead.

“They [the federal government] say KP is not serious about security matters… it is not our fault, you should change your policies,” the provincial chief executive said while addressing a public gathering in Peshawar.

He further said that they do not “critique policies for the sake of criticism, but also propose solutions,” vowing to cooperate on matters related to Pakistan’s national interest.

The chief minister further emphasised that KP has governance, citing that the public has elected his party for the third consecutive term. He contrasted that the governance wasn’t there where “the IMF [International Monetary Fund] presented its charge sheet”.

“Rs5,300 billion was not brought from anyone’s personal pocket; it is taxpayers’ money,” Afridi said, adding: “The elite mafia and those who control the country have stolen these funds. We will not let them take it.”

For his part, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser highlighted legal and border issues, saying that the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments have made courts subservient, and that the nation will stand against such measures.

He also said Afghanistan-related challenges reflected failures in federal border policy and urged the government to give peace a chance.

Terrorist attacks have seen a sharp increase in Pakistan, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan since the Afghan Taliban regime came into power.

A police report noted that KP alone recorded over 600 terror incidents, in which at least 79 police personnel were martyred alongside 138 civilians, during the first eight months of 2025.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul and the international community to address the presence of terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan, including those of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Last month, State Minister for Law Aqeel Malik said that the federal government was considering imposing a governor’s rule in KP, citing poor governance, terrorism and the border situation with Afghanistan.

“The situation in KP is evident to everyone, given the cross-border terrorism and governance issues,” he said while speaking on Geo News’ programme “Naya Pakistan”.

Malik said the federal government was evaluating the move in light of security and safety concerns, as well as national security priorities.

The remarks, however, irked CM Afridi, who dared Centre to impose governor’s rule in his province.

Speaking to Geo News, the KP CM said: “There is no need for any other rule in the province.”

The chief minister said those enforcing “closed-door policies” in KP should realise the consequences of their actions.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 7 /DNA/ — The Prime Minister has honoured Mrs Souriya Anwar, outgoing President of SOS Children’s Villages Pakistan, for five decades of voluntary service to orphaned and vulnerable children.

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif praised her leadership, noting that SOS has grown to 65 projects, caring for 2,600 children, providing subsidised education to 12,500 students, and offering technical training to 1,200 youth each year. He highlighted the support of 25,000 donors as a testament to the trust she built.

The Prime Minister’s message was read by Mr Shahid Hamid at the Annual General Body Meeting and was received with strong applause from all participants.

The Government reaffirmed its support for SOS Children’s Villages Pakistan, and expressed confidence that Mrs Souriya Anwar will continue to guide the organisation in the years ahead.

Mr Shahid Hamid, former Governor Punjab has been elected as the new President of SOS Children’s Villages Pakistan.