Rawalpindi, General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, emphasized that there is no space for intolerance and extreme behavior in the country, especially against minorities and vulnerable groups. His statement came during a meeting with leading Islamic scholars (Ulema and Mashaikh) of all schools of thought.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, General Munir asserted that Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis, regardless of their religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic, or sectarian identities. He firmly stated that any form of force or armed action by groups other than the state is unacceptable. The Ulema and Mashaikh in attendance unanimously condemned extremism, terrorism, and sectarianism, and pledged their support for the state and security forces in promoting tolerance, peace, and stability. They agreed that Islam is a religion of peace and harmony, distancing it from any distorted interpretations used for vested interests. The Army Chief also highlighted the significance of the ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ Fatwa by religious scholars, encouraging its widespread implementation. He acknowledged the role of Ulema in guiding youth towards understanding the Quran and Sunnah and emphasized the importance of character building. The forum also supported the government’s measures to strengthen the state, including repatriation of illegal foreigners, anti-smuggling, and anti-hoarding initiatives, and expressed concerns over terrorism from Afghan soil and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.