Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir recently reignited the ideological foundation of Pakistan's creation by invoking the Two-Nation Theory during a speech at the Convention for Overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif present.
Munir emphasized to his audience—particularly Pakistanis living abroad, that they must educate their children about the “stark differences between Hindus and Muslims,” which he said justified the creation of Pakistan as a separate nation in 1947. He said:
“Our religion is different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different. Our thoughts are different. Our ambitions are different... That was the foundation of the Two-Nation Theory.”
He urged families to keep this narrative alive, calling it "the story of Pakistan,” and tying it to the sacrifices made during Partition. He also described the Kalima (Islamic declaration of faith) as the ideological bedrock of the country, reinforcing Pakistan’s identity as a state founded on Islamic principles.
This rhetoric reflects how the Pakistani military establishment continues to shape national identity around the notion of civilizational distinction from India, particularly Hindus. It also coincides with heightened tensions between India and Pakistan at the United Nations, where India recently criticized Pakistan over the Kashmir issue and called for the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from territories "illegally occupied."
Additionally, Munir used the same platform to issue strong warnings to Baloch insurgents, vowing a harsh crackdown and asserting that:
“Even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan and Pakistan.”
His comments highlight not only the military’s continued centrality in shaping Pakistan’s ideological and security narratives but also its hardline stance on internal dissent, especially in Balochistan, where calls for autonomy and human rights concerns remain sensitive issues.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into the Two-Nation Theory, Balochistan's situation, or Pakistan’s minority demographics.
