Gen Raheel's remarks assume significance in the wake of raging scandal in Pakistan over embattled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family offshore wealth after the Panama Papers leak mentioned his children's name for having shell companies.
"Ongoing war against terrorism and extremism being fought with the backing of entire nation cannot bring enduring peace and stability unless the menace of corruption is not uprooted," Gen Raheel said during his visit to Kohat.
The army chief's remarks came hours before Prime Minister Sharif's arrival in Pakistan from UK where he stayed for a week for medical treatment.
Sharif dashed to the UK last week for "medical treatment" amid reports he was under immense pressure to quit over the scandal that mentioned the names of his two sons and a daughter as having shell companies through which they owned expensive residential properties in London.