Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir's recent speech in Karachi, aimed at rallying anti-India sentiment, reveals his frustration, according to high-level intelligence sources. The speech appeared to be an attempt to assert Pakistan’s stance on continuing proxy warfare in Kashmir while consolidating control over the Navy through anti-India discourse. Sources suggest that Munir's remarks were a direct response to India's aborted strike on Karachi, which highlighted India’s growing maritime influence and diplomatic strength. The display of India’s naval power compelled Pakistan to scale back its actions, they added.

Munir’s broader ambitions seem to be expanding beyond military influence, with the speech signaling a push for greater power. His anti-India rhetoric, intelligence sources claim, is aimed at consolidating his authority. In his speech at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, Munir claimed that despite enduring significant losses during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan had responded resolutely to India. He spoke of Pakistan's restraint and commitment to regional peace, calling the country a "net regional stabilizer." Munir further assured a strong and swift response to any future aggression.

The Pakistan Army Chief also reiterated Pakistan's stance on Kashmir, advocating for its "just resolution" in line with United Nations resolutions and the desires of the Kashmiri people. He stressed that a peaceful resolution was crucial for lasting regional peace. Days before the Pahalgam terror attack, Munir had also sparked controversy by describing Kashmir as Pakistan’s "jugular vein." Sources also pointed out that the Indian Navy has strategically positioned itself 260 miles off Karachi, targeting crucial assets, including warships, dry docks, and port infrastructure essential to Pakistan’s economy.