• Stresses efforts to wipe out TTP threat; army chief urges clerics to promote tolerance
• COAS says social media being used to spread ‘anarchy’; calls for protests to remain peaceful

ISLAMABAD: As the government and the military declared their intentions to go after the ‘violence and anarchy’ purportedly spread through social media by any means, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday spoke of “unprecedented cooperation” between the political government and the institutions, proclaiming it a ‘role model’ for future administrations.

This resolve was expressed at the ‘Ulema and Mashaikh Con­ference’ on Thursday, where both PM Shehbaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir urged clerics to actively counter disinformation and extremism, and promote tolerance and unity in society, instead of discrimination.

According to the PM, the coalition government and national institutions are in “unprecedented harmony and cooperation” to serve the national interests and steer the country out of prevailing challenges.

“The country never needed [the kind of] unity and national harmony which [is] required today. I have never seen such a level of cooperation between a political government and the institutions throughout my political career,” he said, adding that the collaboration between the military establishment and the government was a “role model” for the future.

PM Shehbaz told the gathering that the government was making efforts to address the economic challenges and expected the upcoming International Monetary Fund package to be the last one.

He said the coalition government was working on a comprehensive plan to ease the burden on the inflation-stricken people and that the provinces would soon announce their respective plans.

In his address, the premier also called for efforts to wipe out the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which he referred to as ‘Fitna al Khawarij’ and also paid tribute to the security forces and law enforcement agencies.

“We salute those who risk their lives daily to protect the nation, offering the highest sacrifice for the motherland. We honour the sacrifices of our martyrs, who have given their lives to defend the nation.”

The premier also tried to link the May 9 violence with what’s happening in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government and said: “The worst heartbreaking incident in the history of the country took place on May 9 and you have seen what is happening today in Bangladesh with the characters of 1971 ‘Fall of Dhaka’ when Quaid’s [Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah] country was split into two states.”

‘Tool for anarchy’

Addressing the conference, COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir warned that social media was being used to spread “anarchy”. “Fisad Fil Arz is the biggest sin and we firmly stand against it,” he said. “If someone tries to create chaos in Pakistan, by God, we will stand before him. No power in the world can harm Pakistan because this country is built to last,” he added.

The army chief urged scholars and clerics to encourage tolerance and unity in society instead of extremism or discrimination, saying they should “bring back moderation in the society and reject corruption in the world”.

The army chief also talked about terrorism and said, “Khawarij are a great fitna.” He said the Pakhtun community had made a lot of sacrifices in the war against terrorism and said the nation stood with it.

He said criminal and smuggling mafias were supporting terrorism, adding that there was no compulsion in religion in Islam.

“We stand united and resolute in our commitment to eradicate terrorism from our soil. We will not tolerate extremism, violence, or fear-mongering,” he said.

The army chief condemned “twisted ideologies that seek to divide us, senseless killings that aim to intimidate us, and inhumane tactics employed by Fitna Al Khawarij that attempt to break our spirit.”

“Let us strive for a Pakistan where everyone can thrive in peace and prosperity. We are one nation, one people, and together we can achieve greatness,” the COAS added.

The army chief said Pakistan had been hosting millions of Afghan refugees for the past four decades. “We are explaining to them not to oppose their neighbour, brother Islamic country, and long-time friend for the sake of the Khawarij fitna,” he said, apparently referring to Pakistan’s longstanding demand from the Afghan Taliban.

On the topic of protests, the army chief said, “We tell the people that if you want to protest, do it, but remain peaceful.”

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2024