Pakistan Army Chief Claims Custodianship of Holy Mosques, Reaffirms State Control Over Jihad

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has said that among the world’s 57 Islamic countries, Pakistan has been honored by Allah with the responsibility of being the protector of the Haramain Sharifain (Makkah and Madinah).

According to a report published by Dawn on Sunday, Munir made the remarks while addressing a National Ulema Conference held recently in Islamabad.

During his speech, Munir drew parallels between Pakistan and the “Islamic state” established in Saudi Arabia 1,400 years ago. He said both were founded for the same purpose, were established in the same month of Ramadan, and involved elements of migration (Hijrah) in their creation.

The army chief also emphasized that in an Islamic country, no individual or group other than the state has the authority to declare jihad. “No one can issue a fatwa for jihad without the orders, permission, or will of the state authority,” he said.

Dawn reported that detailed information about Munir’s speech at the conference remains limited. However, it is known that he cited several verses from the Holy Quran during his address.

Referring to the four-day military confrontation with India in May, Munir said that Pakistan’s retaliatory operation, codenamed Bunyanum Marsoos, had received “divine help.” “We felt it,” he added.

Munir also spoke about cross-border terrorism involving Afghanistan and Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent militants from using Afghan soil to carry out attacks in Pakistan, a claim that Afghan authorities have denied.

Highlighting the issue at the conference, Munir questioned whether Afghanistan was not witnessing the bloodshed of Pakistani children. He also stated that the Afghan Taliban had been asked to choose between Pakistan and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).