Pakistani military backs extremism to destabilise neighbours: Sindhi leader Burfat
Synopsis
JSMM Chairman Shafi Burfat, speaking from Berlin, has levelled sweeping charges against Pakistan's military establishment — accusing it of sponsoring terrorism, suppressing democracy, and using Army Chief Asim Munir's aggressive rhetoric to mask deep institutional insecurities. The statement escalates diaspora pressure on Islamabad at a moment of acute regional tension.
Key Takeaways
Shafi Burfat , Chairman of JSMM , accused the Pakistani military of patronising extremist and terrorist groups to destabilise neighbouring countries.
He singled out Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir , calling his nuclear threats and nationalist rhetoric a sign of institutional insecurity.
Burfat alleged the military controls Pakistan's politics, judiciary, media, and economy through "puppet rulers" and controlled civilian governments.
He said journalists, students, activists, and minorities inside Pakistan face enforced disappearances, torture, and censorship under military pressure.
The JSMM chief called on the international community to hold Pakistani military leadership accountable for human rights violations and destabilising rhetoric.
Shafi Burfat, Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), on 11 May accused the Pakistani military establishment of long-standing patronage of religious extremism and terrorism, warning that its continued dominance poses a direct threat to democracy, regional peace, and long-term stability across South Asia. Speaking from Berlin, Burfat directed his sharpest criticism at Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling his rhetoric a symptom of deep institutional insecurity rather than strategic strength.
Allegations Against the Military Establishment
Burfat alleged that the Pakistani military has systematically undermined democratic processes over decades — overthrowing elected governments, manipulating elections, imprisoning political opponents, and installing what he described as
Point of View
Designed to attract international attention at a moment when Pakistan's military posture is already under scrutiny. The JSMM has historically had limited traction in mainstream diplomatic circles, but diaspora voices from Berlin and London have gained unexpected amplification in recent months. Whether this statement moves the needle in Geneva or Brussels remains to be seen — but it signals that the pressure campaign against Rawalpindi is becoming more coordinated and more pointed.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shafi Burfat and what is JSMM?
Shafi Burfat is the Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), a Sindhi nationalist political organisation that advocates for the rights of the Sindhi people and has been critical of Pakistan's military establishment. The group is active among the Pakistani diaspora in Europe.
What specific allegations did Burfat make against the Pakistani military?
Burfat alleged that the Pakistani military has patronised extremist and terrorist groups, overthrown elected governments, manipulated elections, controlled the judiciary and media, and suppressed dissent through enforced disappearances and torture. He described Pakistan as an 'unnatural state structure' dominated by military interests.
Why did Burfat criticise Army Chief Asim Munir specifically?
Burfat said Field Marshal Asim Munir's 'emotionally charged extremist nationalist slogans, nuclear threats, and aggressive rhetoric' against neighbouring countries reflect internal contradictions and institutional insecurity rather than strategic confidence or responsible leadership.
What did Burfat urge the international community to do?
He called on the international community and defenders of international law to take serious notice of irresponsible statements and hostile language from Pakistani military leadership, and to recognise alleged human rights violations against minority and indigenous communities inside Pakistan.
Where was this statement made and how was it communicated?
Burfat made the statement from Berlin on 11 May, posting his remarks on social media platform X. The statement was directed at both the international community and Pakistani military leadership.
