The Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, delivered a keynote address at the National Ulema and Mashaikh Conference held on December 10, 2025, in Islamabad, with participation from religious scholars and spiritual leaders of all schools of thought from across the country.
In his address, the army chief spoke at length on the challenges facing Pakistan, including terrorism, national security, evolving regional dynamics, preparedness for modern warfare, and the central importance of knowledge and scholarship. He presented his perspective by citing verses from the Holy Quran and references from poetry, outlining what he described as Pakistan’s clear ideological and strategic outlook.
He said Pakistan had been bestowed with the honour of being the “guardian of the holy sanctuaries,” adding that there was a deep connection and similarity between the State of Madinah and the State of Pakistan. He noted that both states were founded on the basis of the Kalima during the blessed month of Ramadan, and said this similarity reflected their divinely assigned roles.
Referring to counterterrorism operations, the army chief said divine support was witnessed and felt during Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. He stressed that in any Islamic state, only the state has the authority to declare jihad or issue related religious decrees.
Addressing regional security concerns, he said terrorism was being carried out against innocent Pakistani citizens and children with the backing of Afghan Taliban elements. He claimed that around 70 percent of those involved in formations of what he termed “Fitna al-Khawarij” entering Pakistan were Afghan nationals, and said Afghanistan would have to choose between supporting such elements or maintaining relations with Pakistan.
Concluding his address, the army chief warned that nations which abandoned the intellectual and scholarly legacy of their forefathers and the power of the pen had historically fallen into decline, underlining the need to revive knowledge, thought and moral strength.
