Pakistan Army Chief's Nuclear Warning Labeled "Foolish" and "Reckless" by EFSAS Director, Junaid Qureshi
In a strong condemnation, Kashmiri political activist and Director of the European Foundation for South Asian Studies, Junaid Qureshi, has criticised Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir for his alleged nuclear threat during a recent trip to the United States. Qureshi labelled the remarks as "foolish" and "irresponsible," stating that such nuclear threat declarations undermine responsible civil-military relations and Pakistan's international standing.
Qureshi emphasised that the constitutional authority to use nuclear weapons in Pakistan lies with the civilian government, not military leaders, suggesting that Munir's comments exceed legitimate military authority and increase regional tensions irresponsibly.
The international community's response to Qureshi's criticism has been limited in explicit public statements directly referencing him. However, concerns over Pakistan's military posture, nuclear rhetoric, and alleged support for terrorism in Kashmir continue to be significant issues in South Asian security discussions, often eliciting warnings from India and concern from Western diplomats about regional stability and nuclear risk.
Qureshi also linked the recent terrorist incident in Pahalgam to Pakistan, suggesting it has led to a decline in tourism and a resurgence of terrorism in the region. He cautioned that with the renewed engagement between the US and Pakistan, Islamabad might feel more empowered to escalate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Qureshi connected potential unrest to wider geopolitical strategies involving China, suggesting that Beijing profits from keeping India distracted militarily and politically in Kashmir while tensions continue to rise on the eastern front. He proposed that the recent diplomatic goodwill shown to Pakistan by Washington is more focused on US strategic interests in the region than on India-Pakistan dynamics.
Qureshi has highlighted the uptick in targeted killings and assaults on non-Muslims in the region, expressing concern over the situation. He maintains that Pakistan will continue to advocate for third-party mediation, particularly from the US, in the Kashmir issue.
However, Qureshi expressed doubt that any enforceable mediation in the Kashmir issue will be possible given India's long-standing objections. He accused Pakistan of engaging in a "double game" by using US financial aid to support terrorist organizations for its strategic aims and to combat those same entities when they posed a threat to the state.
Historically, Pakistan has functioned as a proxy for the US within the region, according to Qureshi. If the statements suggesting that Pakistan could "wipe out half of the world" are true, they indicate a dangerous level of recklessness from Pakistan's military leadership, he added.
Qureshi anticipates increased lobbying and advocacy concerning Kashmir in Western political circles. He believes that any successful mediation in the Kashmir issue is unlikely without India's consent.
In conclusion, Qureshi's critique underscores the tension between civilian authority and military actions in Pakistan's nuclear command and the complex geopolitical interests influencing U.S.-Pakistan relations. His comments serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in South Asia and the need for responsible nuclear policies and diplomacy in the region.
[1] Qureshi, J. (2025). The Nuclear Threat from Pakistan: Implications for Regional Stability and Civil-Military Relations. European Foundation for South Asian Studies. [2] The Diplomat. (2025). India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate over Kashmir. [3] BBC News. (2025). Pakistan Army Chief's Alleged Nuclear Threat Sparks International Concern.
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