Desk: After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir has once again stirred controversy. He invoked the Two-Nation Theory, stating that Hindus and Muslims are fundamentally different nations. Munir emphasized Pakistan’s sacrifices and asserted the need to defend its interests. Earlier, amid tensions with India following the Pahalgam attack where 26 people were killed, India announced several measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Munir’s remarks come amidst escalating tensions and were made during a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday.
General Munir stated, “The Two-Nation Theory was based on the fundamental belief that Muslims and Hindus are not one but two separate nations. Muslims are distinct from Hindus in every aspect of life—religion, customs, traditions, thoughts, and aspirations.” He underscored Pakistan’s founding on the principle of two separate nations and called it a duty to safeguard it. Earlier on April 16, addressing a conference for Pakistani expatriates in Islamabad, Munir urged recounting Pakistan’s story to children, emphasizing that Hindus and Muslims are separate nations as propagated by Pakistan’s founder M.A. Jinnah.
He said, “Our religions are different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, and our ambitions are different. This is the foundation of the Two-Nation Theory. We are two nations, not one.” Referring to Kashmir, he stated, “Our stance is very clear, it was our jugular vein, it remains our jugular vein, and we will not forget it. We will not abandon our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle.” India has repeatedly asserted that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and divided it into two union territories, leading to strained relations between the two countries.
