Standing neither flashy nor timid, he reiterated that in an Islamic state, the authority to declare jihad hinges solely on the state, a tenet he described as indispensable for national cohesion.
With a demeanour both firm and benevolent, Asim Munir alleged that India’s policies continue to rattle regional stability, claiming that terrorism is ‘not Pakistan’s but India’s stubborn and consecutive pattern.’ He added that Pakistan confronts its enemies not from the shadows but by calling them out, refusing to be precariously constrained by fear or confusion.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s historic role as the ‘guardian of the Haramain’ stands as a testament to its persistence and flair, a privilege borne not only with pride but with responsibility.
‘Any nation that abandons knowledge,’ he warned, ‘invites erosion of strength and blotches of discord.’ Only frugal discipline, research, and unity can spur Pakistan toward the pinnacle of stability.
The Field Marshal reminded clerics that their guidance for youth remains pivotal, especially when misinformation lies strewn across society like combustible debris waiting for a spark. He urged them to thwart divisive rhetoric and provide adequate direction in an age where truth is often obscured and occasionally baffling.
Toward the end, his voice rose with unwavering exuberance, proclaiming, ‘Pakistan Zindabad!’ a moment ascended to the apex of the ceremony.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the same conference with remarkable candour, rejecting the belief that nations rise through shortcuts, magic, or salao (unlucky) fears, stating instead that progress relies on consecutive hard work.
He lamented how terrorism, often arriving perilously from across the Afghan border has marred Pakistan’s development, leaving even expatriate communities worried.
Innocent citizens in Balochistan and KP, he stressed, continue to fall prey to extremist groups, making economic revival a task that cannot consist alongside violence.
Sharif hailed the recent military success that Pakistan claims over India as a moment of redemption, achieved through the benevolence of prayers and the armed forces’ ‘ruthlessly professional courage.’ He praised Asim Munir’s leadership, describing the feat as ‘staggering in its precision and finesse,’ though he admitted challenges remain.
The Prime Minister urged the clergy to convene regularly, revisit core Islamic teachings, and help revamp society’s moral compass. He called for persuasion grounded in truth, not combustible rhetoric, to guide a nation standing precariously close to oblivion if disunity persists.
Despite the varied viewpoints in the conference hall, the atmosphere carried a speck of hope. Speakers envisaged a Pakistan where accreditation of learning, unwavering unity, and a revamped social structure could spur progress even under mounting pressure.
