When Rhetoric Replaces Reform: The Cost of Ignoring Internal Failures

By Fatima Chaudhary 

General Asim Munir, the current Chief of Army Staff in Pakistan, has emerged as a vocal proponent of religious nationalism and antagonistic rhetoric toward India. His recent speeches, however, seem less about regional stability and more about preserving the Pakistan Army’s dominance while distracting from the country’s deepening economic and social crises.

In a speech at the Overseas Pakistani Convention, delivered in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Munir reaffirmed what has long been suspected—that the real power in Pakistan lies not with the elected representatives, but with the military elite. His assertion of the Army’s supremacy was not just political; it was steeped in religious overtones, revealing a dangerous blend of militarism and ideological radicalism.

What is different about Munir is how openly he uses religion in his speeches. Past army leaders tried to keep a more neutral tone. But Munir, who is known for being very religious and a Hafiz-e-Quran, openly talks about religious values and even jihad. At a meeting with religious scholars in Peshawar, he said Pakistan is the second Islamic state after Medina and that the country cannot be defeated by any outside power. He also said that martyrdom is the army’s greatest goal. These are not just religious beliefs; they are being used to justify the military’s strong hold on the country.

One of the most worrying parts of Munir’s speeches is how he talks about India and Hindus. He keeps repeating that Muslims and Hindus are two completely different nations and cannot live together peacefully. He tells parents in Pakistan to teach their children about this so they can protect their Muslim identity. He also says that Hindus and Muslims are different in every way—religion, culture, history, and beliefs. This is not just a personal opinion. It shows how the army is pushing a view that supports hate and division.

Munir has also accused India of following a Hindutva agenda that threatens minorities in the region. But while he talks about India’s problems, he does not mention how minorities are treated in Pakistan. His own country has seen attacks on minorities, religious violence, and growing support for extremist groups. Pakistan continues to give space to banned organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, groups that have carried out terrorist attacks in the region. These actions do not support his claim that Pakistan wants peace.

By focusing so much on India and religious identity, Munir is trying to distract people from Pakistan’s real issues. The country’s economy is in a very bad state. Prices are rising, jobs are hard to find, and foreign loans are piling up. People are struggling to afford food, electricity, and fuel. But instead of solving these problems, the army is using speeches and slogans to turn attention elsewhere.

The use of religion and anti-India language is not only used for distraction. It is also a way to keep control. When Munir talks about freedom of speech, he says that too much of it causes moral decay. This is a way of saying that people should not question the military. The army wants to control the media and public opinion so that it does not face criticism.

In the past, there was hope for better relations between India and Pakistan. Initiatives like “Aman ki Asha” were started to improve ties and promote peace. But with leaders like Munir making hateful speeches and supporting groups that spread violence, it’s hard to see any future for those efforts. His words have done more to spread hate than build trust.

What makes the situation worse is how much the army takes from the country while the people suffer. The military controls a large part of the national budget. It runs businesses, owns land, and gets special benefits like better housing and healthcare. Meanwhile, ordinary Pakistanis are struggling to survive. Instead of sharing the burden, the army continues to live in comfort while asking people to make sacrifices. 

General Munir’s speeches are full of warnings, religious slogans, and attacks on other countries. But they say little about how to fix Pakistan’s real problems. The country is facing a rise in terrorism, poor governance, and financial collapse. None of these can be solved by blaming India or repeating religious phrases. What Pakistan needs is real leadership that focuses on peace, development, and justice for all its people.

Munir’s speeches show that the Pakistan Army is not ready to change. It wants to keep its power, control the national story, and silence anyone who speaks against it. While the country faces some of its biggest challenges, the army is more interested in spreading old ideas and holding onto its special status. This is not the path to stability or peace. It is a way to stay in control, no matter the cost to the country or the region.

Fatima Chaudhary is a lecturer at a private university in Punjab province.

Note: The contents of the article are of sole responsibility of the author. Afghan Diaspora Network will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in the articles.