He says progress depends on eliminating terrorism; CDF Munir urges ulama to help foster unity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attend the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad. Photo: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the country could not achieve sustainable economic development without complete elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.
Addressing the National Ulema Convention, the Prime Minister urged religious scholars to play a proactive role in discouraging sectarianism and promoting unity, harmony and brotherhood among all schools of thought. He said creating an atmosphere of national cohesion was essential to ensure the country’s future prosperity and progress.
The convention was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief Field Marshal of Defense Forces Syed Asim Munir, ministers, parliamentarians and a large number of religious scholars from various schools of thought.
The prime minister said Almighty Allah had blessed Pakistan with a great victory in Maarka-e-Haq (battle of truth) against India, which he said was due to the professionalism and bravery of the armed forces as well as the prayers of the nation.
He said Field Marshal Asim Munir had led the war with bravery and unwavering determination, while all services – army, air force and navy – contributed equally to the victory.
The world, he added, was recognizing Pakistan’s performance and Muslim countries were expressing pride over the historic victory. Despite this, he noted, some elements continue to spread propaganda against the armed forces.
Denouncing the menace of terrorism, he said the Khawarij were carrying out attacks on innocent citizens and security personnel. He said he often encountered families of martyred soldiers who expressed pride in their sons’ sacrifices for the country.
On the economy, the Prime Minister said Pakistan had reached a stage where it was about to take off towards accelerated growth. He said the country’s political and military leaders had worked tirelessly to steer the nation away from the risk of default.
He reaffirmed the government’s determination to put Pakistan on the path of economic prosperity and said this was the time to implement it and work hard. He added that by implementing austerity measures and working collectively, the nation could fulfill the dreams of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said national unity was indispensable to address all challenges facing the country and achieve long-term stability and development.
Chief of Defense Forces
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir urged the Ulema to play their role in fostering national unity and broadening the vision of the people.
In its speech at the conference, the CDF said that in an Islamic state, no one except the state can declare jihad.
He said that the nation emerged victorious in Maarka-e-Haq with the blessings of Allah Almighty.
Terming the defense deal with Saudi Arabia as a historic development, the CDF said there is a deep connection between the State of Tayyiba and Pakistan. “Among all Muslim countries, Almighty Allah has granted Pakistan the honor of being the guardian of Haramain,” he said.
The CDF said: “Terrorism is not Pakistan’s method but India’s practice. Pakistan does not attack the enemy from cover; rather, it challenges and eliminates him openly.”
Underlining the importance of education, Field Marshal Asim Munir said that a nation that abandons knowledge and pen becomes vulnerable to chaos. “Honor and strength are not gained through division, but through hard work and knowledge,” he added.
