“Terrorism is not Pakistan’s pattern; it is India’s,” he remarked.

He made the remarks while addressing the National Ulema and Mashaikh Conference in Islamabad.

Field Marshal Munir said Pakistan did not operate “from the shadows,” adding that the country challenges its enemies “head-on.”

He noted that “Riyasat-e-Tayyiba” and the State of Pakistan share a deep ideological connection and stressed that national strength is built on unity, knowledge and hard work rather than division.

Calling the Pakistan-Saudi defence agreement “historic,” he said Allah had granted Pakistan the honour and responsibility of safeguarding the Haramain, a distinction not shared by any other Muslim country.

The Field Marshal cautioned that nations which abandon knowledge and the pen fall into chaos, saying that research, learning and discipline were the foundations of stability and progress.

Field Marshal Munir emphasised that honour and strength do not come through division, but through unity, education and hard work.

In an Islamic state, he said, only the state has the authority to declare “jihad”; no individual or group can assume that right.

Pakistan’s victories in decisive battles, he added, were achieved with divine support, and the journey of resilience would continue through unity.

He urged religious scholars to keep the nation united, broaden public thinking and strengthen their role in guiding the youth.

“Long Live Pakistan, Always,” he added.

PM seeks scholars’ role in eliminating extremism

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the convention that Pakistan could not achieve sustainable economic development without eliminating terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.

He called on religious scholars to promote unity and harmony among all schools of thought, saying national cohesion was essential for the country’s future progress.