Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, where he was briefed by panels comprising civil and military participants enrolled in the ongoing National Security and War Courses. The participants presented their academic assessments on emerging national security challenges and strategies to address them.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the CDF delivered an address outlining the rapidly changing global, regional, and internal security landscape, noting that Pakistan continues to face a wide spectrum of enduring and complex threats. He explained that these challenges cut across multiple domains, including conventional and sub-conventional warfare, intelligence, cyber and information operations, as well as military and economic pressures. He stressed that addressing such challenges demands integrated, multi-domain readiness, constant innovation, and close coordination across all instruments of national power.
Field Marshal Asim Munir highlighted that adversarial forces are increasingly relying on indirect and ambiguous methods, often utilising proxies to exploit internal vulnerabilities rather than engaging in direct confrontation. He emphasised the importance of preparing future leaders to identify, anticipate, and counter these layered and cognitively driven threats.
He further underlined that the ability to make sound decisions amid uncertainty—supported by clarity of thought and intellectual resilience—is essential for effective leadership in today’s contested security environment.
Commending the role of National Defence University as a leading institution for strategic education, the Field Marshal praised its contribution to developing thinkers capable of converting academic rigour into practical policy and operational effectiveness. He reaffirmed that professional military education is vital for enhancing institutional strength, nurturing indigenous capabilities, and ensuring sustained national resilience.
In his concluding remarks, the CDF appreciated the quality of analysis presented by the panels and encouraged course participants to remain vigilant, adaptive, and committed to the principles of integrity, discipline, and selfless service.
Upon arrival at NDU, the Chief of Defence Forces was warmly received by the President of the National Defence University.