"We are well aware of our constitutional limits," says COAS Asim Munir

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir made it clear to the opponents that the Pakistani Army is "well aware of its constitutional limits and expects the same from others".

He made the remarks while addressing the cadets at the passing-out parade of Pakistan Air Force at PAF Asghar Khan Academy in Risalpur as chief guest.

"You are the centre of our hopes, the protector of the skies, and the guarantor of regional unity," he said to the cadets.

"You will never hesitate to sacrifice your lives for the defence, honour, and dignity of motherland [Pakistan]," the top armyman added.

The army chief advised the passing-out parade participants to become committed to their responsibility like Rashid Minhas, Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, and MM Alam, "who sacrificed their lives for the country".

In an apparent response to social media trolls, Gen Asim defined the limits of freedom of speech with reference of Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

"Violators of Article 19 cannot point fingers at others," the COAS warned.

Talking about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unilateral decision to revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, Gen Asim said that Pakistani Army will continue to support "Kashmiri brothers morally, politically and diplomatically."

Kashmir issue remains a flash point between Pakistan and India with Islamabad constantly urging the world to hold a plebiscite on Kashmir. 

The conflict prompted global outrage after Modi took a decision to revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that grants special status to the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).