No sacrifice to be spared for country’s integrity, honour 

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed their resolve that no sacrifice would be spared for the solidarity, integrity and honour of the country.

In their separate messages on the occasion of the Defence Day, they said that the Pakistan armed forces fought the biggest fight against terrorism and it was their resolve, commitment and heroism that they stood victorious in this war.   They lauded valor of valiant soldiers of country’s armed forces in their fight against terrorism. They stated this in their separate messages on the occasion on the national Defence Day on September 6.

President Mamnoon Hussain in his message said that September 6 is a memorable day in our national calendar when the people of Pakistan demonstrated unprecedented national unity and stood by the valiant armed forces to thwart a serious aggression by the enemy. The commemoration of this historic Day revives our spirits and strengthens the resolve to defend the country against all sorts of threats.

We pay homage to all those sons and daughters of the soil who laid down their lives in defending the motherland. It is because of their supreme sacrifices and unshakeable determination that we live in safety and dignity. The need to imbibe the spirit of September 6 is even greater as the country is confronted with the challenges of extremism and terrorism. The militants and extremists through their subversive activities have challenged the state in a bid to impose their obscurantist agenda on the people of Pakistan.

The government of Pakistan in unanimity with all the stakeholders and with complete backing from the entire political spectrum and the people has launched the National Action Plan under which the armed forces personnel of police and law enforcement agencies are successfully rooting out the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country. 

The Operation Raddul Fasaad, an extension of operation Zarb-e-Azb, is progressing successfully in different parts of the country and will continue till the last terrorist is eliminated. No nation in the world has paid such a heavy price in terms of property and precious lives as the people of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. I once again salute the heroes who rendered sacrifices to protect the dear homeland and the armed forces for making its defense impregnable. 

Let us revive the spirit of unity of September 6 in meeting the new challenges. Let us pledge in accordance with the vision of our beloved Quaid-e-Azam that we will make Pakistan one of the greatest nations of the world. 

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in his message said that the 6th of September 1965 is a day in our history that can never be forgotten. It was a day when the Pakistani nation not only defended the motherland but also gave a clear and unambiguous message to the world that Pakistan is fully capable of defeating all aggression no matter how stark no matter how cowardly. The Defence Day reminds us of those historic moments when the enemy attacked us in the darkness of the night to capture Lahore. The whole world saw that the valiant soldiers of Pakistan’s Armed Forces repulsed the enemy with unsurpassed valour. Our soldiers proved with their supreme sacrifice that nations win wars not with armory but with faith and courage.

By the grace of Almighty Allah today’s Pakistan is much stronger and its defence is impregnable. Today we are a nuclear power and our military is even more vigilant and better equipped. The entire nation is inspired by patriotism and our new generation is more enthused than ever. The citizens stand shoulder to shoulder with the Armed Forces. Our enemies know that Pakistan’s defence is unassailable any misadventure would certainly result in their humiliating defeat.

This is a day for us to demonstrate the national solidarity of 1965. We can only defeat our enemies through strict adherence to the cardinal principles of unity, faith and discipline as laid down by the Father of the Nation. We cannot be divided in the name of religion, cast or creed. With the help of Almighty Allah Pakistan is on the path of accelerated development and we are being viewed as an emerging economy by the global economic community. 

Pakistan’s military has been victorious in the war against terror and has proved its professional excellence. Operations Zarb-e-Azab Raddul-Fassad and Khyber-4 have broken the backbone of terrorists. It is essential that we maintain unity and reaffirm our resolve to work for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.

On this occasion I would also like to pay tribute to the great sacrifices of the unarmed innocent people of Indian Occupied Kashmir who have been fighting for their right to self-determination. Our position on Kashmir is very clear. This issue can only be resolved through United Nations Resolutions and according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Use of force and violence cannot suppress the voice of the Kashmiris who are struggling for their inalienable right to self-determination. Pakistan will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir for their legitimate right at every forum. 

Let us pay tribute to the great sacrifices of our soldiers and martyrs and all those who fought for the defence of Pakistan and let us reaffirm our resolve to protect and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our motherland at all costs.