Army fully prepared to counter divisive elements: CDF

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Saturday reaffirmed that the Pakistan Army remains fully vigilant and prepared to counter both internal and external challenges, including hostile hybrid warfare, extremist ideologies and divisive elements aimed at undermining national stability.

He visited Gujranwala and Sialkot garrisons on Saturday. Upon arrival, he was briefed on the formation’s operational readiness and key initiatives for strengthening combat preparedness. The field marshal witnessed field training exercise and advanced simulator training facility, lauding the formation’s high professional standards and overall state of readiness. Highlighting the significance of technological adaptability, he noted that modern warfare demands agility, precision, situational awareness and swift decision-making.

While interacting with officers and soldiers, the COAS & CDF lauded their high morale and steadfast commitment to national security while underscoring the importance of rigorous and mission-oriented training. Earlier on his arrival, he was received by corps commander Gujranwala.

Separately, CDF & COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir attended the 35th National Games’ concluding ceremony in Karachi as the chief guest and presented the trophy to the Pakistan Army for securing the highest number of medals at the event.

According to the final medal standings shared by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Pakistan Army reigned supreme with a total of 353 medals, including 200 gold medals, 97 silver and 56 bronze medals.

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) finished second with 85 gold medals, 73 silver and 74 bronze, while Pakistan Navy remained third with 36 top honours, 39 silver and 35 bronze.

Punjab was the most successful province in the games, concluding the week-long event with 16 gold medals, followed by Sindh with 11, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with five, while Balochistan could claim four. Capital territory Islamabad finished 11th with two gold medals, five silver and 11 bronze.

Azad and Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan remained the only participating teams which could not win a single gold medal and only managed seven bronze and thus finished in the last two positions in the standings.

On the occasion, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari presented the CDF & COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir with a Sindhi cap and ajrak.

During his address at the ceremony, Bilawal stressed the broader significance of the National Games, saying: “These National Games were not merely a competition of speed, strength or skill; they were a celebration of Pakistan itself.

“From Gilgit Baltistan to Gwadar, from Khyber to Karachi, from Lahore to Larkana, every athlete who competed here carried the colours of their province but stood united under one flag,” he added.

The 35th National Games featured 14 teams, comprising departments and provinces, including hosts Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, alongside Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Wapda, Pakistan Police and Higher Education Commission (HEC).