Farewell address: Defence system empowered, suitably equipped: CJCSC

ISLAMABAD: “Structural reforms ensuring a fully empowered and suitably equipped military are no longer a desire — they are a practical necessity for Pakistan’s defence system,” Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza NI, NI(M) asserted in his farewell address at the Joint Staff Headquarters on Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony held in his honour, General Mirza said the world around Pakistan is transforming at an unimaginable pace, with far-reaching impacts on the country’s internal and external security challenges. These evolving realities, from hybrid confrontation to the possibility of full-scale conflict, demand an unprecedented preparedness from the Armed Forces.

General Mirza stressed that in such circumstances, Pakistan’s military must operate with greater harmony, cooperation, and unity of purpose. He underscored that inter-service coordination and a joint strategic approach are “essential requirements, not ambitions,” for safeguarding national security.

Highlighting the shifting character of future warfare, he said that the Armed Forces must adopt integrated planning and cohesive operational frameworks to remain ready for the challenges ahead. Extending his best wishes to the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Joint Staff Headquarters, General Mirza said he hoped the institution would continue to fulfil its expanding responsibilities with honesty, resolve, and dedication.

He concluded that regardless of how defence structures evolve, they must meet new responsibilities with unwavering commitment and integrity.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025