Paigham-i-Islam conference honours Field Marshal Asim Munir, condemns attacks on Iran

ISLAMABAD: The sixth International Paigham-i-Islam Conference on Wednesday conferred the titles of Leader of Peace and Greatest Victorious General of the Century on Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, citing his role in advancing peace and reinforcing stability across the Muslim world.

The conference was organised by the International Tazeem-i-Haramain Sharifain Council and the Pakistan Ulema Council. Participants also denounced the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, while voicing concern over strikes on Arab countries, which they said were harmful to regional stability.

The gathering called for national security, unity within the Muslim Ummah and stronger interfaith harmony. It was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Palestinian Ambassador Dr Zuhair Mohammad Hamdallah Zaid, Grand Mufti of Palestine Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein and Chief Justice of Palestine Dr Mahmoud Al-Habbash, along with senior Saudi and Palestinian representatives, religious scholars and international delegates.

Honours and recognitions

Besides Field Marshal Asim Munir, the conference presented international honours to a number of national and foreign personalities for their contributions to peace, stability and unity in the Muslim world.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a shield of appreciation for what the conference described as his clear and firm position on major international issues, especially Palestine.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who was named Global Personality of 2025, was also given a special award in recognition of his role in defence cooperation with Pakistan, efforts to promote unity in the Muslim world and support for peace at regional and international levels.

Statements by organisers

Prime Minister’s Coordinator for the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee and Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi reiterated complete support for the government, the armed forces and national security institutions, and acknowledged their role in protecting the country.

Speaking on behalf of clerics, he congratulated the nation on what he described as recent successes, particularly the victory in Marka-i-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, whose first anniversary is being observed in Pakistan and among the Pakistani diaspora.

Ashrafi also stressed the importance of unity and cohesion in the Muslim Ummah and endorsed Pakistan’s position on regional matters, including its stance on Iran and its relations with Arab and Islamic countries. Referring to defence ties, he said the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia strategic partnership was an important development for the Muslim world and could help strengthen collective security among Islamic states.

Other resolutions

The conference also condemned the killing of prominent religious scholar Maulana Muhammad Idrees Tarangzai. It said violence, extortion and lawlessness had no link with Islam or Shariah, and expressed solidarity with state institutions in maintaining law and order.

Participants further said efforts should be made to improve coordination among religious scholars in Pakistan and other Muslim countries.

It was announced that the seventh International Paigham-i-Islam Conference would be held in March 2027, with invitations to be extended to global religious leaders including the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Grand Mufti of Palestine, the sheikh of Al-Azhar and the Pope to promote inter-sect and interfaith harmony.

The organisers also said similar conferences would be arranged in different parts of the world under the aegis of the International Tazeem-i-Haramain Sharifain Council.

The final session of the conference is scheduled to take place at Aiwan-i-Sadr under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, after which international delegates will begin leaving for their respective countries.