Latest news with #Asim
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pak-India conflict 'unmistakably' bilateral: COAS
Listen to article Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Thursday rejected the notion that the recent military conflict between Pakistan and India in May had any third party involvement, saying it was "unmistakably a bilateral confrontation". His remarks came during the corps commanders conference held at the GHQ in Rawalpindi to review the internal security as well as regional developments. Chairing the meeting, Field Marshal Asim referred to the Indian army's baseless insinuations to offset its comprehensive defeat. "Invoking third parties in what is unmistakably a bilateral military confrontation reflects a disingenuous attempt at bloc politics aimed at falsely projecting India's self-assigned role as a net security provider to accrue benefits in a region that is visibly growing disillusioned with Indian hegemonic ambitions and Hindutva driven extremism," the army chief stated. The deputy chief of the Indian army had claimed last week that India was facing a two-front situation, referring to the role of China. However, Field Marshal Asim's statement suggested otherwise. Pakistan may have close defence cooperation with China but the authorities said it was Pakistan's own planning and indigenous technology that helped defeat India and that New Delhi's effort to point a finger at China was an attempt to gain sympathy and support from the West. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, the corps commanders offered Fateha for the martyrs of recent terrorist attacks by Indian-sponsored proxies. Taking stock of the recent successes against terrorist proxies, the forum resolved that "blood of our Shuhada will not go waste and the safety and security of people of Pakistan remain top-most priority" for the Armed Forces of Pakistan. The forum strongly asserted that it was imperative to take decisive and holistic actions at all levels against the Indian-backed and sponsored proxies. Following its manifest defeat in direct aggression against Pakistan, post-Pahalgam incident, "India is now doubling down to further its nefarious agenda" through its proxies of Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan. The army chief shared details of Pakistan's proactive and successful diplomatic manoeuvre, including recent visits to Iran, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Field Marshal Syed Asim accompanied Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the ISPR said. The forum was briefed on the historic and unique visit of the COAS to the US, where meetings with top-tier leadership afforded an opportunity to share first-hand Pakistan's objective perspective on bilateral, regional and extra-regional developments. The forum conducted a holistic review of the prevailing internal and external security dynamics, with particular emphasis on the recent developments in Middle East and Iran and growing propensity for "use of force" as a preferred policy tool, which warranted persistent development of self-reliant capabilities as well as national unity and resolve. The forum was also briefed on Pakistan's Army's ongoing drive with quick adaptation towards evolving threat spectrum and changing character of war. The army chief appreciated the leadership of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force for further strengthening tri-services synergy. In his concluding remarks, the army chief expressed full confidence in the operational readiness of the Pakistan Army against complete threat spectrum.
Campaign ME
08-07-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Haus of Hendricks appoints Hattan Asim as Producer of Videography
Haus of Hendricks, a Dubai-based creative agency, has appointed Hattan Asim as Producer of Videography. The appointment comes as the agency aims to expand its in-house production capabilities to meet growing demand for visually compelling, strategically led content. With more than five years of experience as a cinematographer and video editor, Haus of Hendricks claims Asim brings a distinctive creative voice shaped by work across branded campaigns, social-first content, and documentary-style storytelling throughout the MENA region. 'Hattan's eye for story, pace and polish is exactly what we were looking for as we expand our production team,' said Mariam Mahmood, Founder of Haus of Hendricks said on Asim's appointment. 'His work speaks for itself, clean, emotive, and impactful. He understands how to translate brand strategy into visuals that actually move people.' According to the agency, his appointment reinforces Haus of Hendricks' commitment to delivering high-impact visuals with emotional depth and technical precision. His previous roles have included tenures as cinematographer and editor, and most recently, content creator and producer. Whether he's planning, shooting or editing, his approach is hands-on, thoughtful, and always focused on delivering content that connects with the brand's message, the agency claims. His work specialises in combining strong visuals with a natural sense of timing to bring ideas to life. On his new role, Asim said: 'What drew me to Haus of Hendricks was the creative energy and the level of trust placed in ideas.' He also outlined his strategy for his role at the agency. 'There's a real hunger here to push visual storytelling in fresh, meaningful directions and I'm excited to be part of that journey,' he said. Finally, Haus of Hendricks claims that the hire further aims to mark a step forward in the agency's evolution as a full-service agency. This entails strengthening its in-house capabilities across strategy, branding, and production, the agency said.
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
COAS warns of crippling response to aggression
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Monday issued a stern warning, stating that any misadventure or violation of Pakistan's territorial integrity by an aggressor would be met with a "deeply hurting and more than reciprocal response" – delivered without constraints or hesitation. Addressing the graduating officers at the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, the army chief said that India's allegations of external support to Pakistan during the Operation Bunyanum Marsoos reflected Delhi's chronic reluctance to acknowledge Pakistan's indigenous capability. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, Field Marshal Asim Munir visited the NDU, where he addressed the graduating officers of the National Security and War Course, comprising participants from all services. In his address, the army chief highlighted the evolving character of warfare and underscored the centrality of mental preparedness, operational clarity, and institutional professionalism in navigating complex strategic issues. He reiterated Pakistan's principled stance that any misadventure or attempts to undermine Pakistan's sovereignty or violation of territorial integrity would "continue to be reflexively met with a swift, and resolute" response without any constraints or inhibitions. "Any attempt to target our population centres, military bases, economic hubs and ports will instantly invoke a 'deeply hurting and more than reciprocal response'. The onus of escalation will squarely lie on the strategically blind arrogant aggressor, who fails to see the grave repercussions of such provocative actions against a sovereign nuclear state," he declared. Field Marshal Asim noted that India's inability to achieve its stated military objectives during its Operation Sindoor and the subsequent attempt to rationalise its shortfall through convoluted logic spoke volumes about its lack of operational readiness and strategic foresight. "Insinuations regarding external support in Pakistan's successful Operation Bunyanum Marsoos are irresponsible and factually incorrect and reflect a chronic reluctance to acknowledge indigenous capability and institutional resilience developed over decades of strategic prudence," he said. Operation Bunyanum Marsoos refers to Pakistan's thunderous military response on May 10 to India's Operation Sindoor that began with missile strikes in Pakistan on May 7, killing dozens of civilians, including women and children. Operation Bunyanum Marsoos hit India's 26 military targets. Last week, the deputy chief of the Indian army alleged that China gave Pakistan "live inputs" on key Indian positions during the four-day conflict. Lt-General Rahul Singh, however, did not elaborate how he received that information. Field Marshal Asim said that naming other states as participants in the "purely bilateral military conflagration was also a shoddy attempt at playing camp politics" and desperately trying that India remained the beneficiary of larger geopolitical contestation as the so-called net security provider in a region getting increasingly weary of its hegemonic and extremist Hindutva ideology. "In contrast to India's strategic behaviour resting on parochial self-alignment, Pakistan has forged lasting partnerships based on principled diplomacy, anchored in mutual respect and peace, establishing itself to be a stabiliser in the region," he added, according to the ISPR. "Wars are not won through media rhetoric, imported fancy hardware, or political sloganeering, but through faith, professional competence, operational clarity, institutional strength and national resolve," the army chief remarked. In the address, the army chief lauded the role of the premier institutions such as the NDU in enhancing civil-military synergy and nurturing future leadership capable of mitigating hybrid, conventional, and sub-conventional threats with poise and resolve. He concluded by expressing full confidence in the professionalism, morale, and readiness of the battle-hardened Armed Forces of Pakistan and urged the graduating officers to remain steadfast in the values of integrity, selfless service, and unwavering commitment to the nation.
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan demands immediate UN action to Haiti gang crisis
Listen to article Pakistan has called for immediate and united action by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to help restore political stability in Haiti as gang violence escalates in the Caribbean nation. Addressing the Council's first formal meeting under Pakistan's presidency this month, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, said that the time for 'half measures' in Haiti is over. 'The gangs' stranglehold has turned Haiti's streets into battlegrounds,' he said. 'Vigilante killings are on the rise, children are being recruited by armed groups and the breakdown of basic services is forcing hundreds of thousands to live in fear and face acute food shortages.' Read: Pakistan advances peace at UNSC Ambassador Asim, presiding over the 15-member Council in his national capacity, said Haiti's crisis requires both political unity and international resolve, calling for a Haitian-led solution backed by firm global support. He expressed Pakistan's support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya and other troop-contributing nations, and urged UNSC to ensure the mission is 'robust, well-resourced, and effective'. 'Anything less risks collective failure tomorrow,' Ahmad cautioned. 'The people of Haiti deserve to live in peace and dignity, free from fear and want. Pakistan stands ready to help forge consensus in the Council to deliver hope and security to Haitians.' Miroslav Jenca, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Americas, told the Council that state authority in Haiti had eroded sharply since January. He said gangs had virtually paralysed Port-au-Prince, cutting it off with the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights. Read more: Pakistan urges UNSC to stop Israeli 'aggression' Gangs now influence every commune in the capital and surrounding areas, he said, warning that 'the total collapse of state presence could become a real scenario'. Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said from Vienna that gang control over trade routes was stifling legal commerce and worsening food insecurity and humanitarian need. 'The state's capacity to govern is rapidly shrinking,' she said. 'This erosion of state legitimacy has cascading effects.' Kashmir dispute Earlier, Ambassador Asim had held a news conference at UN headquarters to highlight the long-standing Kashmir dispute. 'It is time that this is addressed,' he said, referring to the conflict between India and Pakistan. 'And I would say this is not only a responsibility of Pakistan, we are here temporarily for two years as a non-permanent member.' He added that UNSC, and particularly its permanent members, must 'take certain steps to actually get their own resolutions implemented'. The comments come just a day after Pakistan formally assumed the UNSC presidency for July, which rotates monthly among member states.
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Shrinking glaciers: a threat to ecological balance
Asim Ali, a 55-year-old resident of Oshu village in Upper Kalam, watched helplessly as water surged into his stone house, as result of the rising River Swat. The recent flooding, triggered by the accelerated melting of glaciers combined with heavy rains, forced many villagers to hastily place sandbags around their homes in an attempt to stem the gushing water and salvage belongings. "The water flow in River Swat has been increasing every summer due to the rapid melting of glaciers and erratic rainfalls," said Asim. Transporting stones on donkeys from nearby mountains, Asim and his family are trying to restore their damaged home. He recalled a time when glaciers were much closer to the village. "Our streams used to flow steadily. Now, they either dry up or flood unpredictably," he said. He blamed illegal construction, glaciers melting, encroachment, and deforestation for amplifying the river's velocity and destructive power. For generations, villagers like Asim have mostly relied on glacier fed irrigation to cultivate crops such as wheat, barley, peaches, and apricots. But changing water patterns have made farming increasingly uncertain. "We now depend on rain, which is rarely sufficient. Sometimes, we lose entire crops to drought or sudden floods," he lamented. Swat's glaciers are vital to the Indus River system and its tributaries, supplying clean water to millions and sustaining the region's fragile ecosystem. However, their rapid retreat due to global warming is posing a grave threat. "As temperatures rise, glaciers are receding at an alarming rate, triggering ecological, social, and economic consequences," said environmental expert Dr Shafiqur Rehman. Pakistan hosts over 7,253 glaciers-more than anywhere outside the polar regions. Notable among them are Baltoro (63 km), Biafo (67 km), and Batura (57 km) in Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as nearly 500 glaciers in Upper Chitral's Tirich Mir range, which feed major rivers such as the Swat, Panjkora, Kabul, and Indus. "Our irrigation systems depend heavily on these glaciers," said Dr Rehman, adding with rapid population growth and shrinking glaciers, Pakistan faces an impending water crisis-and by extension, food insecurity. Citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he noted that the Himalayan region is warming faster than the global average. Some glaciers are losing up to five meters in thickness each year. Since glaciers act as natural reservoirs, storing water and releasing it gradually, their accelerated melting is upsetting this balance.
