Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, issued a stern warning to Afghan Taliban-backed terrorists while addressing the National Ulema and Mashaykh Conference in Islamabad on Sunday.
He highlighted Pakistan’s critical challenges, including terrorism, national security, regional developments, military preparedness, and the importance of education and knowledge in enhancing the country’s resilience against evolving threats.
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Quoting the Holy Qur’an, Munir emphasized Pakistan’s unique role as custodian of the Haramain Sharifain, calling it a sacred responsibility that reflects the nation’s spiritual and strategic importance in the Muslim world.
He credited Pakistan’s military diplomacy and strong defence ties with Saudi Arabia for bolstering this recognition, citing strategic agreements such as the SMDA and successful operations like Bunyan-e-Marsoos, which demonstrated Pakistan’s military capability against India.
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Addressing the Afghanistan situation, Munir warned that 70 percent of the “Fitna-al-Khawarij” operatives are Afghan nationals, indicating external sponsorship of militant structures, and urged Afghanistan to stop harbouring groups challenging Pakistan’s sovereignty.
The Field Marshal reaffirmed that the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to counter both conventional and unconventional threats, emphasizing that only the state holds authority to declare jihad under Islamic law.