By Aishma Gul
“Even Ten Generations of Terrorists Cannot Harm Balochistan or Pakistan”— General Asim Munir, April 2025
This decisive assertion by the Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, embodied an aspiration that knitted together the strands of national security with cultural renaissance and proactive reform. Describing Balochistan as the nation’s “destiny” and “ornament,” he framed its stability as non-negotiable. In a recent address at the first overseas Pakistanis convention, General Asim Munir underscored the resilience of the nation while drawing clear contrasts between destructive narratives and the empowering contributions of its diaspora.
The Overseas Pakistanis Convention
The historic event, which was hosted by the Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), was held as ‘The Overseas Pakistanis Convention’ from April 13 to 15, 2025 in Islamabad. The convention was aimed at receiving overseas Pakistanis with open arms when they come to visit the homeland, hear their issues and suggestions, and introduce them to policy-making, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis said in a statement. This was an attempt by the state to connect with one of the most vibrant and resilient sectors it has—the Pakistani diaspora.
The convention served as a platform where overseas citizens celebrated their shared heritage and contributed to national progress. Research demonstrated by publications of international organizations proved that such forums could improve bilateral cooperation and socioeconomic initiatives by adjusting domestic policies according to the work of cross-culturally exposed talents.
Balochistan: The Pillar of National Resilience
Balochistan has long occupied a special place in Pakistan’s national identity. When the Army Chief referred to this region as “the destiny of Pakistan and the ornament of our forehead,” he underscored Balochistan’s dual role as a symbol of cultural heritage and a strategic asset. Spanning rich natural resources from precious minerals to important seaports, it holds significant economic and security value to the country as a whole.
Both recent and historical studies of the region have underscored Balochistan’s strategic importance in terms of its position in regional trade routes and defence initiatives. Historical and contemporary studies have highlighted that the region’s growth was intertwined with national stability and progress. By defending its borders and promoting regional growth, Pakistan ensured that even persistent threats or terrorism would not change its focus on economic prosperity and development.
General Asim Munir’s adamant words, “Do Pakistan’s enemies think that a handful of terrorists can change Pakistan’s destiny? Even 10 generations of terrorists can not harm Balochistan and Pakistan” — remained a reminder of the military’s determination. This resonates with historical trends where a cohesive national response, underpinned by military readiness and economic backing, turned likely weaknesses into enduring advantages.
Overseas Pakistanis: From Brain Drain to Brain Gain
The convention collectively focused on reimaging expatriate talent from a progressive standpoint. Pakistan turned this challenge into an opportunity, while the phenomenon of brain drain, when skilled professionals migrate out of their home country in pursuit of better opportunities, had been a mainstay of concern. General Asim Munir noted the importance of overseas Pakistanis as “ambassadors” and the “light of Pakistan,” which brightened its image all across the world.
Understanding Brain Drain Vs. Brain Gain
Brain Drain: Historically refers to the loss of human capital to emigration by people with technical skills and knowledge in their profession. Studies from institutions like the World Bank have demonstrated that although the short-term impacts of brain drain can place pressure on specific industries, these losses typically manifest as short-term imbalances rather than lasting detriments.
Brain Gain: On the contrary, brain gain focuses on the advantages that came when a diaspora helped develop its homeland. This led to remittances, transfers of technology, and bursts of creativity that generated economic growth and improved the quality of government.
Over the last 10 years, studies have suggested that remittances sent home by the Pakistani diaspora had helped prop up the national economy considerably. These funds were thus confirmed to have stabilized the economy and shared in infrastructure projects by financial reports by the State Bank of Pakistan. Moreover, exposure to a range of professional contexts overseas promoted knowledge sharing and innovation—a pattern seen worldwide in nations that converted brain drain into brain gain.
The Contributions of Overseas Pakistanis to the National Building
The convention provided a clear illustration of this paradigm shift. Its objectives were threefold:
– Economic Empowerment: Remittances remained one of Pakistan’s most significant financial inflows, bolstering domestic liquidity and financing developmental initiatives.
– Knowledge Transfer: These experts and professionals passed on their knowledge and expertise in innovative practices and technologies that would help modernize important sectors like information technology, medicine, and engineering.
– Soft Power and Diplomatic Influence: Abroad, Pakistanis acted as cultural and economic ambassadors, enhancing Pakistan’s profile and deepening global partnerships, the COAS noted.
These multi-dimensional contributions not only debunked the conventional narrative of brain drain but also positioned the diaspora as a cornerstone of national rejuvenation.
The Convergence of Defence and Diaspora Contributions
General Asim Munir’s comments at the convention exemplified a wider strategic narrative that Pakistan would adopt — one that fused uncompromising national defence with progressive economic and social policies. The focus on Balochistan —a region integral to Pakistan’s historical identity and resource wealth—coupled with the call to reframe the diaspora narrative, pointed towards a clear effort to holistically develop the nation
International Context and Lessons from History
Countries around the world, to a certain extent, successfully leveraged diaspora networks to leapfrog national development. China, for instance, turned the exit of human capital into active conduits of investment and a model that Pakistan seemed ever more eager to emulate.
Official documents and academic publications advocated for greater government-diaspora engagement as a necessary conductor of socio-economic consolidation. The convention addressed global trends and reiterated Pakistan’s vision of knitting together defence, economic innovation, and cultural identity.
To sum up, the speech of Army Chief General Asim Munir and the just-concluded Overseas Pakistanis Convention were key milestones in the ongoing transformational journey of Pakistan toward a strong national economy. Reiterating Balochistan’s strategic importance in the global context, coupled with a progressive vision of harnessing global talent, highlighted a clear directive to protect national interests and enable transformative growth. As the Quaid-e-Azam envisioned, Pakistan’s greatness lies not in its challenges but in its ability to rise above them.
(April 17th, 2025)