Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, has said the Afghan Taliban have been given a clear message that they must choose between supporting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or maintaining relations with Islamabad.
He stressed that Pakistan is a peace-loving country but will not compromise on national security or territorial integrity.
Munir, speaking on Monday during a meeting with military personnel in Rawalpindi, accused the Afghan Taliban of supporting militants active inside Pakistan. He has previously claimed that the Taliban back groups supported by India. Pakistan designates the TTP as a terrorist organisation and alleges it receives Indian support.
His remarks come as tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban have reached their lowest point in four years. Deadly border clashes in recent weeks and multiple rounds of negotiations have failed to produce results.
On Friday, Munir was appointed Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Staff while retaining his position as army chief. President Asif Ali Zardari appointed him to the new role following constitutional reforms. Munir will serve a five-year term.
Under the military restructuring introduced by the 27th constitutional amendment and revisions to Article 243, operational, administrative and strategic powers have been consolidated into a single office. The amended article states that the president appoints the army chief in consultation with the prime minister, and that this person also serves as Chief of Defence.
The 2024 reforms also extended the service tenure of the heads of Pakistan’s three armed forces from three to five years, with the possibility of renewal or a further extension. Under Amendment 27, the army chief may be reappointed or have his term extended for an additional five years with the agreement of the president and prime minister, a provision that could keep Munir in office until 2035.
