RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir said use of force and armed action by any militia, entity or group other than state is unacceptable. Army Chief expressed these views during an interaction with leading Islamic scholars of all schools of thought at GHQ, said ISPR.

“Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis without any religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic, sectarian or any other distinction,” he said.

COAS said there was no space for intolerance and extreme behaviour by any entity against anyone, particularly against minorities and vulnerable segments of society. Scholars unanimously condemned extremism, terrorism and sectarianism and pledged their continued support for untiring efforts of state and security forces for bringing tolerance, peace and stability in country.

They underscored that Islam is religion of peace and harmony and any skewed and distorted interpretations of religion by certain entities is for their vested interests only and has nothing to do with Islamic teachings.

COAS lauding ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ Fatwa by religious scholars to nullify misleading propaganda disseminated by extremists and terrorists called upon Islamic scholars for its propagation and implementation in letter and spirit and shun internal schisms. Gen Asim Munir signified role of ulema in harnessing youth towards understanding of Quran and Sunnah and character building alongside other academic knowledge and technical skills.

Forum unanimously supported government’s measures to harden State including repatriation of illegal foreigners, implementation of One Document Regime, anti-smuggling and hoarding measures and anti-power theft drive.

It fully acknowledged Pakistan’s position and concerns on terrorism emanating from Afghan soil and urged serious actions by Afghanistan to address Pakistan’s concerns. Forum also expressed anguish on ongoing conflict in Gaza and atrocities being committed against hapless people of Gaza and termed them as crimes against humanity.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 18 2023

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