Pakistan Army Chief Vows Focus on Kashmir Dispute

Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, has reaffirmed Islamabad’s longstanding claim over Kashmir, characterizing the disputed region as vital to Pakistan’s national identity – a “jugular vein,” in his words – and vowing the country will not relinquish its interest in the territory. The statement, likely to escalate tensions with India, came alongside a defense of the two-nation theory, the historical basis for the partition of India and Pakistan. While predictable rhetoric from a Pakistani military leader, the explicit framing of Kashmir as a non-negotiable core interest, particularly the “jugular vein” analogy, signals a hardening of Pakistan’s position and potentially limits avenues for future dialogue. The continued invocation of the two-nation theory, despite its controversial history and the complexities of the Kashmiri people’s self-determination, further complicates the geopolitical landscape. This declaration underscores the deeply entrenched nature of the Kashmir dispute and suggests a prolonged period of strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors is likely. It remains to be seen how New Delhi will respond, but a strong rebuttal is anticipated, potentially leading to further diplomatic friction and increased security concerns in the region.