Those seeking to drive wedge between institutions, people will fail: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has observed those desiring to see a gulf between state institutions and people will only face disappointment.

The COAS, while addressing the Azadi Parade at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul, on the night between August 13 and August 14, maintained that the steadfast trust of people in the armed forces is their biggest asset.

General Asim Munir hoisted the national flag and presented a salute to the flag at 12:01am following the traditional Azadi Parade by smartly turned-out cadets of the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul. During his speech, the COAS also referred to Quranic verses, quotes from Quaid-e-Azam and the poetry of Allama Iqbal. General Asim Munir said that no negative force could weaken the bond of love and trust between the Pakistan Armed Forces and people of Pakistan. “The armed forces of Pakistan have pledged for internal and external defence of the country and will not allow our sacrifices to go in vain,” he maintained, mentioning that ‘Fitna’ hollows the foundations of a country and paves the way for external aggression. He added weakening the armed forces is tantamount to weakening the country.

He said the nation’s wisdom is based on the Two Nation Theory that provided an opportunity for Muslims of the sub-continent to craft their separate culture, identity and civilisation as a nation. Gen Munir said that he wanted to give a categorical message to the country’s enemies that whether war is conventional or unconventional, dynamic or proactive, they would get a befitting and long-lasting response. He said the armed forces and law enforcement agencies are committed not to hesitate from making any sacrifice for Pakistan. “They have successfully fought against terrorism and gave unprecedented sacrifices,” he said.

Gen Munir pointed out that Azm-e-Istehkam reflects our national pledge and guarantees security and needs of the time. He pointed out that terrorism has again surfaced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to Fitna Al Khawarij’s anti-state and anti-Shariat activities. “I have stated for this Fitna that if they do not follow the Constitution of Pakistan and Shariat-e-Islam, then we also do not recognize them as Pakistanis,” he said.

The COAS also paid tributes to the Pakhtun brothers for making sacrifices in the war against terrorism and said the whole nation salutes them, adding that Baloch people are brave and patriotic. He said the Pakistan Army, with the cooperation of governments of Pakistan and Balochistan, would continue to play a role in the security and welfare of people of the province.

Gen Munir said that Afghanistan is a brotherly Islamic country and he wanted to give a message that its leadership should not prefer Fitna Al Khawarij to a brotherly and sincere country like Pakistan. He said the Constitution of Pakistan ensures freedom of speech but the Constitution has also its limits. He said along with celebrating the occasion, this day also provides us the opportunity to express thanks to Almighty Allah who bestowed us with the blessing of freedom with courage and strength.

The COAS said that while celebrating the Independence Day, the Pakistani nation should not forget human rights violations against Kashmiri brothers and sisters who are living under illegal Indian occupation. “We are standing with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters like a rock and assure them of our political, diplomatic and moral support,” he said.

He said the day also reminds the Pakistani nation of the oppression of Israeli forces against innocent people of Palestine who are facing genocide. “Glaring violations of human rights by Israel in Gaza is a blot in the face of world conscience and rules based international order,” he said and praised the efforts of the Government of Pakistan while raising the issue of Palestine and violation of human rights at international fora.

The COAS also expressed special thanks to Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, the UAE and Turkey for always standing with Pakistan in difficult times. “Pakistan’s status has always been of utmost importance in region, Muslim Ummah and in the world,” he said.