On Friday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir asserted that the use of force and armed actions by any militia, entity, or group outside the state’s authority is deemed unacceptable, according to a statement released by the military.
These remarks were made during an interaction between the army chief and leading Islamic scholars from various schools of thought at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
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Gen Syed Asim Munir emphasized that Pakistan belongs to all its citizens, transcending religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic, sectarian, or any other distinctions. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the COAS as saying, “Use of force and armed action by any militia, entity or group other than the state is unacceptable.”
During the meeting, Islamic scholars unanimously condemned extremism, terrorism, and sectarianism, expressing their continued support for the tireless efforts of state and security forces to foster tolerance, peace, and stability in the country.
The scholars highlighted that Islam is a religion of peace and harmony, and any distorted interpretations by certain entities serve their vested interests, having no connection with true Islamic teachings.
Commending the “Paigham-e-Pakistan” fatwa issued by religious scholars to counter misleading propaganda from extremists and terrorists, the army chief urged scholars to propagate and implement it sincerely, advocating for the abandonment of internal divisions.
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The COAS emphasized the crucial role of Ulema in guiding the youth towards a comprehensive understanding of the Qur’an and Sunnah, fostering character development, and integrating academic knowledge and technical skills.
General Munir underscored that there is no room for intolerance or extreme behavior from any entity, particularly directed toward minorities and vulnerable segments of society.
The gathering unanimously endorsed the government’s initiatives to strengthen the state, including the repatriation of illegal foreigners, the implementation of a unified documentation system, anti-smuggling and hoarding measures, and efforts to combat power theft.
It also fully acknowledged Pakistan’s stance and concerns regarding terrorism originating from Afghan soil, urging Afghanistan to take substantial actions to address these concerns.
Expressing deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the forum condemned the atrocities committed against the helpless people of Gaza, categorizing them as crimes against humanity.