Pakistan’s military leadership is under immense pressure, with Army Chief Asim Munir appealing directly to religious scholars for support in maintaining national cohesion. At the National Ulema Conference, Munir acknowledged Pakistan’s internal fractures, requesting clerics to champion unity and discourage citizens from joining anti-state groups. A significant admission was his statement that only the state can declare jihad, underscoring the challenge posed by militant entities like the TTP that have usurped religious authority. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for religious leaders to help persuade separatists and stabilize the economy. The urgency is palpable, especially with ongoing reports of TTP attacks within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Simultaneously, Afghanistan is witnessing its own significant religious gathering, with over 2,000 scholars from all 34 provinces reportedly issuing strong declarations. These pronouncements frame the defense of Afghanistan as a religious imperative and issue a stark warning to Pakistan, suggesting that any hostility will be met with sacred jihad. This gathering is interpreted as a potent religious mobilization, empowering citizens to take up arms, creating a deeply concerning security environment for Pakistan, which faces internal militant threats and a religiously sanctioned challenge from its neighbor.
