Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said that the authority to declare jihad rests solely with the state, and no individual or group has the right to do so.

He was speaking during a meeting with representatives of various religious communities and social circles in Karachi, where participants appreciated the Pakistan Army’s role in fostering national unity and harmony.

“The prerogative of declaring jihad lies only with the state. No individual or group is authorised to make such declarations,” Lt Gen Sharif stated. He emphasised that promoting peace and unity across all segments of society was essential to counter internal and external threats.

During the interaction, the ISPR DG said that the followers of all religions are equal citizens of Pakistan, and the Constitution guarantees full rights to all communities residing in the country.

“The foundation of national unity lies in the principles of equality and mutual respect. Discrimination based on ethnicity, language, or religion is contrary to our national values,” he said, adding that hatred on such grounds was a form of ignorance that must be rejected collectively.

Commenting on regional security challenges, Lt Gen Sharif accused India of supporting terrorism in Pakistan. He said that the armed forces were responding effectively with a modern warfare strategy to counter the threat.

He also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to safeguarding national integrity and called for unity among the people, saying, “If we remain united, no force can defeat us.”

The meeting, attended by representatives from various religious minorities and civil society groups, was held to promote dialogue and understanding among different communities.

Participants expressed gratitude for the army’s outreach efforts and stressed the importance of continuing such engagements to strengthen interfaith harmony.