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Context: In recent years, Pakistan has faced economic turbulence that has raised fears of an impending default within the country. Political rhetoric, media speculation and economic downturns have contributed to the dreaded default narrative. At one point, the country’s financial predicament was deemed so dire that a number of analysts and political actors claimed that the country was on the verge of a default crisis, sending tremors across the global community.

 The Address: Army Chief General Asim Munir, addressing a Youth Convention on 21 August 2024: There were naysayers who painted a gloomy picture of Pakistan’s future, claiming that an impending default is a foregone conclusion that we cannot avert. Well, where are they now?

Key Points from General Munir’s Speech:

 Future Munir started his address by reassuring the nation. Pakistan’s future is safe; he said. The country’s resilience and the strength of its institutions – the military, the government and the people – will ensure Pakistan’s recovery and stability. He was certain that the country is neither doomed nor in imminent danger.

 When Will Pakistan Default?’: ‘Where are those default prophets now?’ was an angry retort by Army Chief. He was referring to gloomy doomsayers who had hogged the national discourse. General Munir’s remark implied that the doomsayers had been confounded because Pakistan has not defaulted despite the economic gloom.

 Value of Independence: Our Nation is free compared to other conflict-ridden nations, General Munir emphasised the importance of ‘national sovereignty’, and asked the youth to appreciate the value of living in a free and independent country by drawing parallels with the people of Gaza, Kashmir, Libya, Syria and Iraq. His message was clearly meant to emphasise the value of national pride and resilience.

 Hope is Our Greatest Asset: ‘In Allah’s name, in the name of Allah’s Prophet, I, General Munir, pray to Allah to aid our religion, the leaders of our religion, our nation, and our army,’ General Munir began. ‘Allah’s Prophet said, “Hope is our greatest asset.” We will not lose hope. We will not despair. By believing in Allah, showing faith in Allah, and having hope in Allah, we will prevail over our enemies.’ He urged the nation to have hope and faith, quoting another Quranic injunction that states ‘those who despair of the mercy of their Lord should know that it is indeed the widest, to encompass all things’ before repeating the phrase ‘hope is our greatest asset’. 

 Youth are Pakistan’s most valuable national resource The Army Chief stated that ‘youth are Pakistan’s most valuable national resource’. He promised that ‘this precious asset of Pakistan would not be allowed to go waste’. By doing so, he positioned the youth of Pakistan as the most important factor in their country’s future. His words thus called on Pakistan’s youth to contribute positively to the progress of Pakistan and to keep away from the divisive narratives propagated over social media.

 Continued emphasis on Counterterrorism: Â In yet another gathering, Munir reaffirmed the military’s abiding commitment to defeating terrorism, saying that ‘God willing, we shall surely prevail in this war against terror, as we pursue this war with full dedication.’ He called on pashtun tribals to ‘help resolve all outstanding disputes’. He also emphasised the unbreakable bond between the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the military in the struggle against terrorism: Let me assure you, the tribal people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Army is with you in this war against terrorism.

 Social Media and State’s Role: Outlining the social media problem, General Munir emphasised state’s role in protecting public against the chaos and sectarianism normally generated on such platforms. He also underlined dangers posed by misinformation and called for urgent action to protect national unity.

 Conclusion:

 In his impassioned speech, General Asim Munir defended Pakistan’s economic and national resilience, and offered a rejoinder to those who have questioned the country’s stability. He also made a call for unity and hope, challenging the narrative of default and asking his country to remember the ‘value of independence’. He wants Pakistan to have faith in its future and to know that, despite its challenges, Pakistan’s fate is in its own hands. 

 His speech will likely afford warmth to many Pakistanis who want to see the country’s fortunes in a better light. That broader message is now clear: Pakistan is greater than the sum of its problems, and its people and institutions have not been given enough credit for the ability to withstand the forces that some had certainly written off.

Sources : https://www.dawn.com/news/1853768

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