Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Friday said that there is no space for intolerance and extreme behavior by any entity against anyone, particularly against minorities and vulnerable segments of the society.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief said this while interacting with leading Ulema and Mashaikh of all schools of thought at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
"Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis without any religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic, sectarian or any other distinction. Use of force and armed action by any militia, entity or group other than state is unacceptable," the COAS said.
Ulema and Mashaikh unanimously condemned extremism, terrorism and sectarianism and pledged their continued support for untiring efforts of state and security forces for bringing tolerance, peace and stability in the country.
They underscored that Islam is a religion of peace and harmony and any skewed and distorted interpretations of religion by certain entities is for their vested interests only and has nothing to do with Islamic teachings.
Lauding 'Paigham-e-Pakistan' Fatwa by religious scholars to nullify misleading propaganda disseminated by extremists and terrorists, the army chief called upon Ulema-o-Mashaikh for its propagation and implementation in letter and spirit and shunning internal schisms.
He signified the role of Ulema in harnessing youth towards understanding of Quran and Sunnah and character building alongside other academic knowledge and technical skills.
The forum unanimously supported the government's measures to harden the state including repatriation of illegal foreigners, implementation of One Document Regime, anti-smuggling and anti-hoarding measures, and anti-power theft drive.
It also fully acknowledged Pakistan's position and concerns on terrorism emanating from Afghan soil and urged serious actions by Afghanistan to address Pakistan's concerns.
The forum also expressed anguish on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and atrocities being committed against hapless people of Gaza and termed them as crimes against humanity.