The US Military Praises Pakistan’s Army Chief for his Securing of American Interests

News:

On 18 October 2024, a public relations magazine of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) named ‘Unipath’ published an article on Pakistan’s army chief, with the title, “A forceful voice against violent extremists.” (Unipath)

Comment:

The article showcased the ‘achievements’ of General Asim Munir during his tenure as army chief. The audience of this article appears to be Western elites, particularly the American administration, upon whom the impression of the vitality of Pakistan army chief is being made. In addition, the article was widely promoted in Pakistan to assert Munir’s authority at a time that he is facing strong domestic opposition.

The Unipath magazine is a publication of US Central Command (USCENTCOM) based in Qatar.  It is full of praise of regional army commanders working closely, with American military leadership in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of USCENTCOM. This includes commanders of Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain and Jordan.

The article on General Asim Munir is the first of its kind. No other Pakistani army chief has been published in Unipath magazine until now. The article highlights three main policies which makes Pakistan’s army chief ‘indispensable’ and ‘successful’.

Firstly, the military action against the Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group. This allegedly makes him a forceful voice against extremism, according to the article. This pitch is music to American ears. They want Pakistan army to replace the role of NATO in the region that is focused on fighting Islam in the garb of the fight against terrorism. We have seen the deterioration of Pakistan’s relationship with neighboring Afghanistan, after the victory of Afghan Mujahideen against NATO. Instead of combining the strength of Pakistan’s armed forces and the mujahideen of the tribal areas for the sake of Islam, General Asim is using all tools available to sow fitnah, hate and conspiracies against the Muslims of Afghanistan.

Secondly, the policy regarding Iran; the article quotes “Pakistan sovereignty was challenged on January 16, 2024 when Iran carried out a series of missile and drone strikes…to express its resolve and redeem its stature, Pakistan conducted precision strikes against terrorist hideouts in Sistan Balochistan province of Iran”. Here again the article tries to create a positive relevance to US policy makers that Pakistan’s resources are available to target Iran under any pretext. This is the time when the call for mobilizing the armies of Muslims to stop genocide in Gaza is at a peak in Pakistan and the entire Muslim world. However, the leaderships of Iran and Pakistan forsake the Muslims in the Blessed Land, whilst fighting Muslims, on the basis of nationalism.

Thirdly, the projection point regarding efforts to expand ties with United States; Pakistan’s military leadership feels abandoned after the American retreat from Afghanistan, and the strong dependence on India. The leadership is seeking avenues for cooperation in order to stay relevant to US regional policy. The article pitches the vital role of General Asim in solidifying partnership with United States.

America is seeking new commitments from Pakistan’s army leadership on five key issues: keeping Afghan Taliban government under pressure, rolling back excessive Chinese influence to prove that Pakistan is not in Chinese camp, normalization of relations with India, preparing the ground to recognize the Jewish entity, and assurances over slowing the modernization of Pakistan’s missile and nuclear program.

Based on the promise of delivery on these commitments, General Asim is preparing a case for the extension of his service tenure for another three years. The article is part of his campaign to remain as an agent for American policies.

Cultivating the commanders of the armies of Muslims is an important element of American policy in the Muslim world. Washington cannot implement its regional plans, without the support of the local ruling factions, of which army chiefs are an important component. Moreover, in some places like Pakistan and Egypt, the role of the army chief is a decisive one. One of many tactics used by America to influence the military leadership is of personal projection. So America showers praise on its agents through articles, awards them of the highest American medals and invites them as guest speakers in high-profile international conferences.

The intellectual weakness is the fundamental reason behind the weakness of the military commanders in the Muslims world. Western military training creates an inferiority complex within our commanders. They think lowly of the Islamic Ummah and its Deen and praise American-led capitalist civilization. Consequently, the military leaderships of Muslims seek the pleasure of the colonialists. This is an unfortunate state of affairs which can only be corrected by inculcating Islamic culturing into the military.

Hizb ut Tahrir has stated in its Introduction to the Constitution, Article 67: “It is obligatory to provide the Army with the highest level of military education and raise its intellectual level as far as possible. Every individual in the Army should be given Islamic culture that enables him to have an awareness of Islam, to at least a general level.”

O Officers of Pakistan’s Armed Forces! Allah (swt) warned,

[مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنكَبُوتِ اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنكَبُوتِ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ]

“The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.” [Surah Al-Ankabut 29:41] How much longer will you accept agents of America to lead you? Uproot the agents and grant your Nussrah to Hizb ut-Tahrir for the re-establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Muhammad Seljuk – Wilayah Pakistan