Islamabad: Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, reiterated the significance of the ‘two-nation theory,’ asserting that Muslims and Hindus are fundamentally distinct nations. His comments, made during a passing-out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, followed remarks he made a week earlier about Kashmir, calling it Pakistan's “jugular vein” and urging overseas Pakistanis to pass on the story of their forefathers, who believed in the separation of Hindus and Muslims in all aspects of life.
“The two-nation theory was based on the belief that Muslims and Hindus are separate nations, not one,” General Munir stated, emphasizing that Muslims and Hindus differ in religion, customs, traditions, thinking, and aspirations. His remarks were made in the context of heightened tensions with India, particularly after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people and led India to announce retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.
Despite these ongoing security concerns, General Munir affirmed that Pakistan's creation was the result of immense sacrifices and that it was the duty of the Pakistani armed forces to protect the nation. “Our forefathers made great sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan, and we know how to defend it,” he said.
Earlier this month, during a Convention for Overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad, Munir had again invoked the two-nation theory, urging the diaspora to ensure that future generations understand the historical context behind Pakistan's creation. "You must tell the story of Pakistan's creation to your children so that they don't forget that our forefathers believed we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life,” he said, reiterating the viewpoint that Muslims and Hindus are distinct nations in every respect.
Munir also spoke passionately about Kashmir, reaffirming Pakistan's position: “Our stance is very clear, it was our jugular vein, it will remain our jugular vein, and we will never forget it. We will not abandon our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle.”
India, however, has consistently maintained that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country and will remain so. The diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan deepened after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories.
With PTI inputs