Former Singapore Diplomat Questions Ideological Shift in Pakistan Military
What Happened
Former Singapore diplomat Bilahari Kausikan delivered a scathing assessment of Pakistan and its military under Field Marshal Asim Munir. Speaking on a podcast, Kausikan argued that the rationale behind Pakistan changed fundamentally after Bangladesh's separation in 1971 and questioned the country's current identity. He also claimed the Pakistani military, once a largely secular institution, had undergone a significant ideological shift. His most cited remark was: "When an army allows its soldiers to grow beards, it is in trouble," which he used to illustrate what he sees as the increasing religious orientation of Pakistan's military.
Key Takeaways
Kausikan argued that Pakistan's internal challenges stem less from India and more from its own political and military structures. He has previously warned that Pakistan's instability remains a global concern because it is a nuclear-armed state.