RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, visited the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad on Tuesday, where he was briefed by civil and military participants of the ongoing National Security and War Course on their academic assessment of national security challenges and the imperatives for addressing them.
During his interaction with the participants, the Field Marshal outlined the increasingly complex global, regional and internal security environment, underlining that Pakistan continues to face broad and persistent challenges across multiple fronts. He said these challenges are no longer confined to conventional military threats but extend into sub-conventional, intelligence, cyber, information, economic and other non-traditional domains.
He emphasised that the evolving nature of these threats demands comprehensive, multi-domain preparedness, continuous adaptation and close synergy among all elements of national power. According to him, effective national security responses now require an integrated approach that brings together military, diplomatic, economic and informational capabilities.
#ISPR Rawalpindi, 23 December, 2025 Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, #COAS & CDF, #Pakistan visited the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad today, where he was briefed by panel of civil and military participants of ongoing National Security and War Course on… pic.twitter.com/YjRMrBhvAL
— Pakistan Armed Forces News (@PakistanFauj) December 23, 2025The Field Marshal highlighted that hostile elements are increasingly relying on indirect and ambiguous strategies, including the use of proxies and influence operations, to exploit internal fault lines rather than engaging in direct confrontation. He noted that such approaches are designed to create confusion, erode public trust and undermine national cohesion, making them more difficult to detect and counter.
Addressing the participants, he stressed that future leaders must be trained to recognise, anticipate and counter these layered and often subtle challenges. He said intellectual alertness and an ability to understand the cognitive dimension of modern conflict were essential for safeguarding national interests in an era marked by hybrid and grey-zone threats.
The Field Marshal further pointed out that decision-making under conditions of uncertainty has become a defining feature of contemporary security environments. He underscored the importance of clarity of thought, intellectual resilience and sound judgement, particularly when operating in contested and diffused settings where information is incomplete and rapidly changing.
Commending the National Defence University, the Field Marshal described it as a premier institution for developing strategic thinkers capable of translating rigorous academic training into practical policy formulation and effective operational outcomes. He noted that professional military education plays a central role in strengthening institutional capacity, fostering indigenous capability and ensuring long-term national resilience.
He also acknowledged the quality of discussion and analysis presented by the course participants, appreciating their academic insights and conclusions on national security issues. He urged them to remain vigilant, adaptive and steadfast in upholding the values of integrity, discipline and selfless service as they prepare for leadership roles in both civil and military spheres.
Upon his arrival at the university, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces was received by the President of the National Defence University.