COAS General Asim Munir reiterated the military’s commitment to constitutional boundaries and emphasised the importance of upholding the Constitution during his address at the passing-out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Asghar Khan Academy in Risalpur.
“We are well aware of our constitutional limits and expect others to uphold the Constitution,” stated Gen. Munir, underlining the military’s understanding of its role within the constitutional framework.
Referring to Article 19 of the Constitution, which delineates the limits of freedom of speech and expression, the army chief cautioned against flouting these restrictions, asserting that those who do so cannot criticise others.
Gen. Munir commended the PAF for its pivotal role in national defense, highlighting its bravery and professionalism in patrolling airspace, particularly during challenging circumstances. He cited the shooting down of Indian aircraft in February 2019 as a testament to the PAF’s capabilities and commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty.
Addressing the cadets directly, Gen. Munir emphasised their role as guardians of the skies and urged them to embody the virtues of character, courage, and competence. He stressed the importance of sacrifice for the defense, honour, and dignity of the motherland, drawing parallels to the heroic acts of Rashid Minhas, Sarfraz Rafiqui, and M.M. Alam.
The army chief urged the cadets to remain committed to their responsibilities and loyal to the state of Pakistan, emphasising the importance of upholding the nation’s spirit, professional expertise, and tradition of bravery.
Touching on regional dynamics, Gen. Munir warned against the risks posed by the arms race and highlighted the transformative impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing on air power.