In a lecture on June 28, 2025, at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir referred to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as a “legitimate and lawful struggle for freedom, recognized by international laws.”
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting what he called the Kashmiri people’s “right to self-determination” and declared that his nation would always back the Kashmiri people in their quest for self-determination.
“What India labels as terrorism is, in fact, a legitimate and lawful struggle for freedom,” Munir said, openly challenging India’s stance. He also asserted that efforts to stifle the Kashmiri movement have only increased its significance, highlighting Pakistan’s steadfast support for a solution to the Kashmir dispute that aligns with both the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and UN resolutions.
Munir also warned India in his speech, promising a “befitting response” to any strikes in the future. He cited recent military conflicts, such as the Balakot strike in 2019 and the more recent Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror assault, to assert that Pakistan had behaved maturely and with prudence but was ready to act quickly in the event of any perceived aggression.
Reiterating Pakistan’s position as a “net region stabiliser,” Munir claimed that Pakistan had proven its dedication to regional peace and stability in spite of provocations. “Any enemy who exploits Pakistan’s perceived vulnerability under the guise of strategic impunity or miscalculation would receive a swift and very appropriate response,” he said. Additionally, he reiterated the military’s resolve to eradicate terrorism in all of its manifestations within Pakistan, promising to see the conflict through to its rational conclusion.
The Indian government, which maintains that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are essential components of India, has consistently denied Pakistan’s claims. Since India’s revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and divided the state into two Union Territories, bilateral relations have remained tense.
Pakistan’s long-standing position on Kashmir is reflected in Munir’s remarks, but the timing—following recent cross-border violence and military standoffs—has increased tensions and prompted strong responses from Indian officials and the media.
