Says progress depends on terror elimination; CDF Munir calls on Ulema to help promote unity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attend the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad. Photo: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the country could not achieve sustainable economic development without complete elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism from the country.
Addressing the National Ulema Convention, the Prime Minister urged religious scholars to play a proactive role in countering sectarianism and promoting unity, harmony and brotherhood among all schools of thought. He said the creation of an atmosphere of national cohesion was essential to ensure the country’s prosperity and future progress.
The convention was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, ministers, parliamentarians and a large number of religious scholars from various schools.
The Prime Minister said that Allah Almighty had blessed Pakistan with a great victory in the Maarka-e-Haq (battle of truth) against India, which he said was due to the professionalism and valor of the armed forces as well as the prayers of the nation.
He said that Field Marshal Asim Munir had led the war with courage and unwavering determination while all services, Army, Air Force and Navy, contributed equally to the victory.
The world, he added, recognized Pakistan’s achievements and Muslim countries expressed pride at the historic victory. Despite this, he noted, certain elements continued to spread propaganda against the armed forces.
He shouted about the threat of terrorism and said that Khawarij carried out attacks and attacked innocent citizens and security personnel. He said he often met families of martyred soldiers who expressed pride in their sons’ sacrifices for the country.
On the economy, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan had reached a stage from which it was taking off towards accelerated growth. He said the country’s political and military leadership had worked tirelessly to steer the nation away from the risk of default.
Affirming the government’s resolve to put Pakistan on the path of economic prosperity, he said this was the time for implementation and hard work. By implementing austerity measures and working collectively, he added, the nation could fulfill the dreams of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said national unity is indispensable to address all challenges facing the country and to achieve long-term stability and development.
Chief of Defense
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir urged the Ulema to play their role in promoting national unity and broadening the vision of the people.
Addressing the conference, the CDF said that in an Islamic state, no one but 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, Allah Almighty has bestowed upon Pakistan the honor of being the custodian of the Haramain,” he said.
The CDF said: “Terrorism is not Pakistan’s way but India’s practice. Pakistan does not attack the enemy from hiding; rather, it openly challenges and eliminates them.”
Field Marshal Asim Munir emphasized the importance of education and said that a nation that abandons knowledge and the pen becomes vulnerable to chaos. “Honor and strength are not achieved through division, but through hard work and knowledge,” he added.
