There has been a storm on social media regarding the recent meeting between COAS-CDF Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir and Shia scholars.
Certain anti-Pakistan elements sitting abroad are taking the meeting out of context, distorting facts, and attempting to create chaos and sectarian divisions in Pakistan.
COAS-CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir invited 23 Shia scholars for an iftar dinner on March 18. This meeting took place at a time when, due to the Iran-Israel war and the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Shia community as well as all Pakistanis have been in grief, and Pakistan has been facing security challenges. The purpose of this meeting was to promote sectarian harmony, improve law and order and directly engage on sensitive religious matters.
During the meeting, the COAS mentioned his meetings with Ayatollah Khamenei, stating that he had met him three times, that Khamenei held affection for him, and that he felt the same grief over his martyrdom as the Shia community does. He also reportedly said that he stands with Iran in the US-Iran conflict and God willing, Iran will emerge as a victorious nation.
During the discussion, when incidents of terrorism in Gilgit-Baltistan were mentioned, the field marshal said that those who attack military installations and those that martyr soldiers deserve no leniency, and if they do not love Pakistan, they should leave the country. This statement was made in the context of terrorist elements involved in violent incidents in Gilgit-Baltistan.
COAS-CDF Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir’s remarks align with the state’s policy against terrorism. Unfortunately, after the meeting, certain individuals – including some politically affiliated clerics and self-styled journalists living abroad – made the meeting controversial and began a negative propaganda against the army, which deserves strong condemnation.
Israel has long considered Iran and Pakistan as major obstacles to the idea of ‘Greater Israel’. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has openly stated that the biggest threats to Israel are Iran and Pakistan. COAS-CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir, especially after Pakistan’s victory in the recent Pakistan-India war, has become a target for India and Israel.
Hostile forces are attempting to weaken Pakistan – and creating internal instability is their easiest tool. These adversaries know that as long as COAS-CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir leads the army, they cannot dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan. He is seen as a strong and resilient leader. His faith, including being a Hafiz-e-Quran, is often cited as a source of his strength. Enemy countries are also unhappy with Pakistan’s defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, under which Pakistan has provided a nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia. Therefore, they seek to weaken both the COAS and the Pakistan Army by fostering sectarian divisions within the country.
History shows that when a country’s military weakens, chaos and civil war follo. Examples include Iraq, Libya, Syria and others. It is essential that religious scholars, intellectuals and the general public act responsibly. No one should be allowed to play with national security – and strict action must be taken against such individuals.
Shia scholars and community are urged not to become part of negative propaganda, not to play into the hands of anti-state elements, and to support the Pakistan Army and its leadership so the country can effectively face its challenges.
It is encouraging that, due to the efforts of the government of Pakistan and COAS-CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir, who persuaded the American president to postpone attacks on Iranian power facilities for five days to allow negotiations despite Israel’s reluctance. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spoke with Iran’s leadership, resulting in positive outcomes. Further developments are expected.
At a time when COAS-CDF Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir’s efforts have reportedly helped bring the US and Iran closer to a ceasefire and peace, criticising him amounts to hostility towards the state. Such individuals are neither friends of Pakistan nor of Iran.
