General Asim Munir Stresses on Digital Security and Economic Stability for Pakistan

Web Desk — Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir highlighted the state’s responsibility in protecting the digital borders of Pakistan and ensuring the digital security of its citizens.

Addressing the business community in Karachi on Wednesday, General Munir expressed his strong belief in Pakistan’s economic stability and its bright, prosperous future.

The army chief reiterated a key message from a previous meeting with the business community, stating, “Hopelessness is forbidden.”

He emphasized that the country’s economic indicators are now showing positive trends, which he anticipates will continue to improve in the coming year. “Those who once claimed Pakistan was on the brink of default are now nowhere to be seen,” he said, urging accountability for those who spread disinformation and pessimism among the people.

Pakistan’s Future: A Collective Effort for Stability

General Asim Munir underscored the importance of putting Pakistan first, stating, “Nothing, including politics, is superior to our country.” He stressed that personal gains should be secondary to the nation’s progress. The COAS called on citizens to reflect on the importance of a stable state, urging them to ask the people of Libya, Iraq, and Palestine about the value of a strong, unified country.

“We must stand united to tackle the challenges before us,” General Asim Munir said, emphasizing that only Pakistanis can bring the economic stability Pakistan needs. He further appealed to overseas Pakistanis, urging them to invest in their home country and contribute to its development.

Addressing Terrorism and Illegitimate Businesses

In his address, General Munir also pointed out that individuals engaged in illegitimate businesses were indirectly supporting terrorism, driven by ulterior motives. This aligns with his previous comments about the need for comprehensive laws and regulations to curb misleading information and its detrimental impact on the country’s political and social stability.

Combatting Misinformation and Social Media Challenges

Earlier, at the Margalla Dialogue 2024, General Munir had highlighted the growing challenges posed by misleading information. Speaking at the event organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), he emphasized that false narratives were a significant threat to Pakistan’s political stability. He also stressed the increasing influence of violent non-state actors and the continuing challenge of state-sponsored terrorism worldwide.

The Army Chief further argued that the lack of regulations surrounding social media was contributing to the erosion of moral values in society. “The unrestricted freedom of speech without responsibility is leading to the degradation of societal norms globally,” he remarked.