Pakistan’s top military official, Army Chief Asim Munir, has made an unprecedented appeal to religious clerics, urging them to foster national unity and discourage citizens from joining militant groups. This comes as Afghanistan’s Taliban government convenes a large gathering of religious scholars, signaling a potential escalation of conflict and a declaration of holy war against Pakistan. Munir’s address at the National Ulema Conference revealed deep-seated internal issues, including growing separatism and the state’s struggle to maintain religious and military authority. He explicitly stated that only the state, not extremist organizations like the TTP, can declare jihad, acknowledging the significant influence these groups wield. The Prime Minister also echoed the call for religious leaders to promote unity and assist in stabilizing the country’s economy. This plea for help from religious authorities underscores the severity of Pakistan’s internal security challenges, exacerbated by resurgent TTP activities and cross-border tensions with Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Afghan gathering of over 2,000 religious scholars from all 34 provinces has issued strong statements, framing the defense of Afghanistan and its current rule as a religious obligation and warning Pakistan against any aggression. This mobilization by Kabul is seen as a direct counter to Pakistan’s appeals, effectively authorizing citizens to engage in holy war against Pakistan, creating a multi-front crisis for Islamabad.
