QUETTA, May 19 — Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff, stressed on Tuesday that long-term peace in Balochistan demands a “people-centric approach” that combines improved governance and inclusive economic development with targeted security operations.
Addressing troops and student officers at the Command and Staff College in Quetta, the military chief said the country’s economic rise cannot be derailed by “propaganda, fake news, or externally sponsored terrorism.”
The high-level military visit came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the provincial capital to chair a key Apex Committee meeting under the National Action Plan.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS & CDF has visited Quetta Garrison ⚔️🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/VXTGegblhN
— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) May 19, 2026
Quick Facts
- Field Marshal Asim Munir called for a “people-centric approach” and inclusive growth to secure lasting stability in Balochistan.
- The army chief declared that state resilience and public unity will defeat foreign-sponsored proxy terrorism and misinformation.
- PM Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Quetta on a day-long visit to lead a high-level counter-terrorism review session.
- The military chief urged officers to adapt to modern multi-domain warfare, including artificial intelligence, drones, and cyber defense.
- The joint political-military push follows a wave of regional violence and a major four-day counter-terrorism sweep outside Quetta.
The army chief’s trip follows recent major security operations in the province and serves to reinforce the state’s resolve against separatist militancy. Field Marshal Munir praised the current performance and morale of the troops deployed in Balochistan, acknowledging the provincial government’s ongoing social welfare initiatives aimed at strengthening the bond between citizens and the state. He warned that hostile actors attempting to destabilize the region through digital misinformation or local proxies would ultimately fail against the unified front of the Pakistani public and its armed forces.
Addressing the changing dynamics of global conflict, the Field Marshal advised military instructors and student officers to constantly update their training modules to align with next-generation battlefield technologies. He noted that modern warfare is rapidly transforming into a multi-domain arena where electronic warfare, long-range drones, and artificial intelligence play decisive roles. Meanwhile, at the PM House in Quetta, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Apex Committee session brought together top civilian and intelligence leadership to refine counter-terrorism financing strategies and streamline administrative coordination across the province.
