ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for the eradication of militancy and sectarianism, saying the country could not progress without promoting unity and cohesion.

His remarks came while addressing religious scholars at the National Ulema Convention in the federal capital, urging them to play a proactive role in promoting brotherhood and harmony among all schools of thought.

The prime minister's plea comes at a time when the country has witnessed a surge in separatist and extremist violence, with militant groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) carrying out attacks on police and security forces in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan provinces.

"I believe that the most important thing agreed upon in this gathering today should be this that unless we establish an atmosphere of unity and cohesion among the nation in general, this country cannot progress," Sharif said in his address.

"If this country is to progress, the elimination of terrorism is absolutely essential," he added. "To protect this country, the political and military leadership together has worked tirelessly."

He also called for the elimination of sectarianism from the country.

The prime minister lambasted Afghanistan for sending militants to Pakistan who target civilians and security forces, highlighting that Pakistani soldiers were being killed everyday in KP and Balochistan.

The administration in Kabul denies sheltering or facilitating armed factions, describing Pakistan's security challenges as its internal problem.