Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General LT General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that only the state has authority to declare jihad and that no individual or group can claim this right, the military’s media wing reported on Sunday.
According to a statement from ISPR, LT Gen Chaudhry held a special meeting in Karachi with representatives of various religious and social communities, participating in discussions that focused on national unity and harmony.
He emphasized that ethnic or linguistic hatred is a form of ignorance. “All citizens of Pakistan, regardless of their faith, are similar under the Constitution and enjoy full rights. National entity is maintained only through equality and harmony, if we remain united, no one can strengthen us,” he said.
He approached the country’s security challenges and said, “India supports terrorism inside Pakistan. The Pakistani army responds with modern warfare strategy and full readiness.”
Participants were warmly welcomed to the Army spokesman, expressed strong solidarity with the Pakistani army and appreciated the initiative of DG ISPR and described the dialogue as valuable. They also expressed a desire that such interreligious discussions about interreligious and intermediate distribution should continue regularly, the declaration concluded.
