The 54th Munich Security Conference (MSC) was held at luxury hotel Bayerischer Hof Munich from February 16 to 18. More than 30 heads of state and governments along with over 100 cabinet ministers from across the globe attended the conference and discussed major international security challenges. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was also among the attendees.
The army chief while giving Pakistan’s perspective on global and regional security at Munich Security Conference in Germany said that Pakistan has defeated al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban and other outlawed militant groups, and now we can proudly say that no organized militant camps exist on Pakistani soil today.
General Bajwa also revealed that, terrorists have sanctuaries in Afghanistan, from where attacks are being coordinated against Pakistan. Pakistan is ready to cooperate for peace and stability in Afghanistan; however we stress on joint efforts by all the countries to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
Expressing concerns over terrorists’ presence in Afghanistan, the COAS said that Pakistan has undertaken fencing of its border with Afghanistan and we believe that elimination of terrorism requires global cooperation.
He also emphasized that the territory of Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be used against each other for any terrorism activities. He further told the audience that Pakistan has been implementing National Action Plan (NAP) in the war against terrorism. The purpose is not just confined to conduct military offensives against terrorists but also to target the financiers.
He clearly mentioned that the menace of terrorism was fought through joint efforts by the entire nation, noting that clerics from all schools of thought issued a decree against terrorism in the name of religion.
‘Jihad can only be sanctioned by state’
In his introductory speech on ‘Jihadism after Caliphate’, the COAS said, “The present jihadism is a misnomer. Jihad is a highly evolved concept that underlines myriad struggles against tyranny of all types. Muslims are taught that control of self is the most elevated form of Jihad”.
“There is also saying of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that the best of Jihad is a word of truth in the face of a tyrant ruler. On the other hand, Qital (fighting) and the aspect of armed Jihad comes at the lowest end of the spectrum of actions and beliefs that comprise the concept of Jihad and can only be sanctioned by a state authority and nobody else,” he said while addressing attendees at the conference.
General Bajwa, however, said that “there is no denying of the fact that a powerful concept such as Jihad can be easily misused for propagating extremism and terrorism, particularly as many Muslims all over the world are not only feeling alienated, but disowned, targeted and devoid of positive expression.”
He said that same was true for the concept of caliphate, which is more of a “nostalgic response, rather than the actual possibility for most Muslims.”
“In Pakistan, the notion of caliphate has not found any traction, “he further revealed.
