Desk:Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qasim Munir has sparked controversy once again with provocative statements during the annual gathering of overseas Pakistanis. He claimed that Pakistan is “a state like Medina, founded on the principles of the Quran.” During his speech, he also made incendiary comments on issues such as India, Hinduism, the two-nation theory, Kashmir, and Gaza.
General Munir compared Pakistan to Medina, stating, “In the history of humanity, there are only two states founded on the principles of the pen. The first state was Medina, named by our Prophet. It is mentioned in the Quran as Yathrib… Today, it is called Medina. And the second state Allah created for you (Pakistan) after 1300 years, based on the pen’s foundation.”
Medina, originally known as Yathrib, was established by Prophet Muhammad in present-day Saudi Arabia as the center of an Islamic community. After migrating from Mecca in 622 CE, he sought refuge in Yathrib, unified its tribes, established the Mosque of the Prophet, and turned the city into an Islamic governance and community center. Yathrib was subsequently renamed Medina-tun-Nabi (City of the Prophet) or simply Medina.
Speaking to the Pakistani public, General Munir urged them to remember Pakistan’s story and to pass it on to future generations to strengthen their bond with Pakistan. He emphasized Pakistan’s distinct identity from Hindus in every aspect of life, asserting that their faith, customs, traditions, mindset, aspirations, and heritage are different, forming the foundation of the two-nation theory upon which Pakistan was established. He reiterated that Pakistan will never let Kashmir separate from it.
Regarding Balochistan, General Munir dismissed threats posed by militant groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Republican Army (BRA), stating they cannot harm the country for generations to come. He underscored Pakistan’s resolve to respond decisively to these organizations.
In his address, General Munir also mentioned the Israeli military actions in Gaza, expressing solidarity with Palestinian Muslims and describing overseas Pakistanis as “the shining light of the country’s progress,” dismissing concerns about brain drain by calling them “brain gain.” He concluded by affirming Pakistan’s determination to remove any obstacles hindering its progress collaboratively.
These remarks come amidst renewed unrest in Balochistan, highlighted by the recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express by Baloch militants and subsequent military operations resulting in casualties.