- PM, President pay tribute to martyrs, veterans, families on Defence Day.
- Shehbaz calls Sept 6 “glorious chapter” in Pakistan’s national history.
- Zardari says martyrs’ sacrifices “guiding light” for future generations.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday paid tribute to the martyrs and veterans of Pakistan’s Armed Forces, and to their families, on Defence and Martyrs’ Day, reaffirming the country’s commitment to national unity, sovereignty, security, and peace.
In separate messages on September 6, the prime minister said the day was “a glorious chapter in our national history”, reminding the nation of the “unparalleled resolve, unity and sacrifices” demonstrated by the Armed Forces and people in defence of the homeland.
He said Defence and Martyrs’ Day provided an opportunity to honour martyrs and veterans who made immense sacrifices to safeguard Pakistan’s security, sovereignty and independence.
“Despite the enemy’s undeclared aggression and numerical superiority on 6 September 1965, the professionalism and operational preparedness of Pakistan’s Armed Forces inflicted a humiliating and resounding defeat upon it on all fronts,” Shehbaz said.
Zardari said September 6 held a “memorable place” in national history, recalling the sacrifices made to safeguard Pakistan’s freedom, sovereignty and national security.
He said the martyrs of 1965 demonstrated “unparalleled resolve, courage and devotion” in defending the homeland and defeating the enemy’s “nefarious designs on every front”.
National Unity
Shehbaz said history bore witness to the exceptional professionalism and courage of the Armed Forces during the 1965 war, while the Pakistani nation demonstrated “remarkable unity, resilience and steadfastness”.
“Together they created a proud and enduring legacy in our national history,” he said.
Zardari said the unity and spirit of faith demonstrated by the Armed Forces and nation on September 6, 1965, remained a manifestation of collective strength.
“This day reminds us that when a nation stands united in defence of its freedom, sovereignty and homeland, no power can defeat its resolve,” he said.
Recent victory
Both leaders linked the spirit of the 1965 war to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq.
Shehbaz said that in Marka-e-Haq, in line with the “glorious tradition of valiance”, the Armed Forces, under the professional strategy of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, delivered a response to Pakistan’s “age-old adversary” that would be remembered for generations.
“The entire nation is proud of our brave Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy,” he said.
“The resounding success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos has added another glorious chapter to our military history. Our Armed Forces have once again demonstrated that the spirit and fervour of 6 September remain as strong as ever,” the prime minister added.
Zardari said the “resounding success” of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos reflected the spirit of September 6, while victory in Marka-e-Haq represented a continuation of the patriotism and love of freedom embodied by that day.
“Marka-e-Haq has added another glorious chapter to our national history,” he said, describing the success as a testament to the “professionalism, courage and bravery” of the Armed Forces and their longstanding bond with the people of Pakistan.
Security challenges
Shehbaz said the challenges confronting Pakistan demanded “greater national unity and solidarity”.
“Our traditional adversary, along with Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan, continues to pursue its nefarious designs against Pakistan, but these hostile forces are facing successive and decisive defeats,” he said.
He added that the “sinister designs” of hostile forces seeking to destabilise Pakistan through hybrid warfare would be “resolutely defeated”.
Zardari said there could be “no compromise” on Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.
He said that in every conventional and unconventional war imposed by the enemy, the Armed Forces had demonstrated their “vigilance, preparedness and unwavering commitment” to defending the country.
“The entire nation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with its brave Armed Forces,” he said.
National strength
Shehbaz said Pakistan’s true strength lay not only in its defence capabilities but also in building a united, peaceful, stable and economically strong nation.
“Today, our foremost challenge is to eradicate ignorance, poverty and backwardness and to transform Pakistan in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal,” he said.
He added that the government would continue to take resolute measures to strengthen Pakistan’s security, sovereignty and defence while advancing economic development, political stability and public welfare.
Zardari similarly said that alongside a strong defence, “economic stability, political tolerance, national unity, education and development” constituted the foundations of Pakistan’s strength.
“Together, we must play our part in building a bright, secure and developed Pakistan for our youth and future generations,” he said.
Regional peace
The prime minister said Pakistan would continue to play an “active and constructive role” in promoting peace and stability at regional and global levels.
“As a responsible state, Pakistan has emerged as a net security stabiliser, contributing to collective security, peace and stability beyond its borders,” he said.
Shehbaz said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was a manifestation of Pakistan’s growing role in regional security and reflected its commitment to collective defence, mutual security and enduring partnerships with brotherly countries.
Pakistan, he said, would continue to fulfil its responsibilities as a dependable partner for peace and security while pursuing cooperation and dialogue as the preferred means of addressing regional challenges.
Zardari said Pakistan, as a “peaceful and responsible state”, remained firmly committed to promoting peace, dialogue and mutual respect in the region and across the world.
He said Pakistan had increasingly emerged as a “net regional security provider”, contributing to peace, stability and collective security beyond its frontiers.
“The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is a manifestation of Pakistan’s commitment to regional security and its growing role as a responsible and dependable partner for regional peace and stability,” he said.
Kashmir issue
Both leaders said lasting peace in South Asia could not be achieved without resolving the Kashmir dispute.
Shehbaz said the international community must recognise that “lasting and genuine peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without resolution of the Kashmir issue as per UN Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir”.
“Quaid-e-Azam described Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein,” he said, adding that India’s “reprehensible conduct and continued intransigence” on the dispute remained major impediments to lasting peace, development and prosperity in the region.
Zardari said India must desist from promoting terrorism in Pakistan through its proxies.
“United Nations reports testify that Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan have received foreign patronage and the nexus between India and the Taliban regime is no longer a secret,” he said.
National resolve
Shehbaz called on the nation to renew its commitment to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s principles of “faith, unity and discipline”.
“Let us work together to build a strong, prosperous and developed Pakistan,” he said.
The prime minister said a strong defence provided the foundation for sustainable peace and development, while the Armed Forces remained “the guarantors of our national security”.
“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its brave defenders,” he said.
Zardari said the nation should renew its resolve to defend Pakistan’s freedom, sovereignty and security “at all costs” while working together to transform the country, in accordance with Jinnah’s vision, into a “strong, democratic, prosperous and developed state”.
The president also paid tribute to the martyrs, saying their sacrifices had written “timeless stories of courage and patriotism” in the annals of national history and would “forever remain a guiding light for generations to come”.
Both leaders prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and peace, stability and prosperity for Pakistan.
“Pakistan Armed Forces Zindabad! Pakistan Paindabad!” they concluded.
