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PM, president highlight Pakistan's growing role in regional security as nation observes Defence Day

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s growing role in regional security on Sunday as the nation observed on 61st Defence and Martyrs’ Day. The day began with thirty-one gun salute in Islamabad and twenty-one gun salute at provincial capitals, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. A change of guards was also held at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi. The Defence Day is observed every year on September 6 to commemorate the legacy of the 1965 war, which began after India launched an attack across the international border. The war ended with a ceasefire on September 22, and peace between the two countries was negotiated under Soviet auspices in Tashkent on January 10, 1966. During this war, 1617 square miles of territory was occupied by Pakistan as compared to 446 square miles of Pakistan’s open and undefended territory occupied by India. The Pakistan Army had captured 20 Indian officers, 19 junior Indian commissioned officers and 569 other ranks. PM’s message PM Shehbaz paid tribute to the martyrs and veterans of armed forces and their families, on behalf of the entire nation, in his Defence Day message issued by his office. “September 6 is a glorious chapter in our national history, reminding us of the unparalleled resolve, unity and sacrifices demonstrated by our armed forces and the nation in defence of our beloved homeland. “This day provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to the 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 September 6 1965, the professionalism and operational preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces inflicted a humiliating and resounding defeat upon it on all fronts,” he recalled. The prime minister added, “History bears witness that during the 1965 war, our armed forces displayed exceptional professionalism and courage, while the Pakistani nation demonstrated remarkable unity, resilience and steadfastness. Together they created a proud and enduring legacy in our national history.” The prime minister also commended the armed forces’ response to India during last-year four-day military conflict, Marka-i-Haq. “In line with the glorious tradition of valiance, our armed forces, under the excellent professional strategy of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, delivered a response to our age-old adversary that will be remembered for generations. “The entire nation is proud of our brave Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy,” he said. Referring to Bunyanum Marsoos —Pakistan’s military operation in response to India’s attack in the episode — the premier said its success added another “glorious chapter to our military history”. “Our armed forces have once again demonstrated that the spirit and fervour of September 6 remain as strong as ever.” He added that the challenges confronting Pakistan today 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. The sinister designs of hostile forces seeking to destabilise Pakistan through hybrid warfare shall be resolutely defeated,” he said. The state uses the term Fitna-al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and has designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. Beyond security challenges, PM Shehbaz said one of the country’s “foremost challenge is to eradicate ignorance, poverty and backwardness and to transform Pakistan in accordance with the vision of Quaid-o-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal”. “Our true strength lies not only in our defence capabilities but also in a united, peaceful, stable and economically strong nation,” he said, adding that the government would continue to take resolute measures to strengthen Pakistan’s security, sovereignty and defence, while simultaneously advancing economic development, political stability and public welfare. And beyond its frontiers, Pakistan would continue to play an “active and constructive” role in promoting peace and stability at both regional and global levels, he added. As a responsible state, Pakistan had emerged as a net security stabiliser, contributing to collective security, peace and stability beyond its borders, he said, adding that the Makkah Defence Alliance 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 will 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,” he said. He then called on the international community to recognise that lasting and genuine peace in South Asia could not be achieved without resolution of the Kashmir issue as per United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. “Quaid-i-Azam described Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein. India’s reprehensible conduct and continued intransigence on the Kashmir dispute remain major impediments to lasting peace, development and prosperity in the region,” he said. Coming back to September 6, he added, “On this historic day, let us renew our commitment to making Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s principles of faith, unity and discipline an integral part of our national life. Let us work together to build a strong, prosperous and developed Pakistan. “We must always remember that a strong defence provides the foundation for sustainable peace and development. The armed forces of Pakistan remain the guarantors of our national security, and the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its brave defenders,” he said. President’s message President Zardari began his message by stating that September 6 held a “memorable place in our national history, reminding us of the great sacrifices made to safeguard our freedom, sovereignty and national security”. “Defence and Martyrs’ Day provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to the immortal sacrifices of the brave sons of the nation who, in 1965, demonstrated unparalleled resolve, courage and devotion in defence of our beloved homeland, defeating the enemy’s nefarious designs on every front. “I, on behalf of the entire nation, salute the martyrs and veterans of Pakistan’s armed forces and their families. Through their blood and sacrifice, our martyrs wrote timeless stories of courage and patriotism in the annals of our national history. Their sacrifices will forever remain a guiding light for generations to come,” he said. The president said the unity and spirit of faith demonstrated by the armed forces and the Pakistani nation on September 6, 1965 remained a manifestation of the nation’s 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 added. He, too, recalled Marka-i-Haq, saying that the “spirit of September 6 was once again reflected in the resounding success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos”. “Victory in Marka-i-Haq represents a continuation of the spirit of patriotism and freedom embodied by September 6. Marka-i-Haq has added another glorious chapter to our national history. This extraordinary success is a testament to the professionalism, courage and bravery of our armed forces and reflects the exemplary longstanding bond between the armed forces and the people of Pakistan,” he said. He too mentioned Pakistan’s role in regional security, and said that as a peaceful and responsible state, the country remained firmly committed to promoting peace, dialogue and mutual respect in the region and across the world. “Pakistan has 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. At the same time, he continued, there could be no compromise on Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security. “The international community must recognise that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without resolution of the Kashmir issue as per United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” the president said. He further called on India to “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 noted. The president added that in every conventional and unconventional war, Pakistan’s 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. He added, “We must also remember that, alongside a strong defence, economic stability, political tolerance, national unity, education and development constitute 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.” The president concluded his message, saying: “Today, as we pay tribute to the great sacrifices of our martyrs, we renew our resolve to defend Pakistan’s freedom, sovereignty and security at all costs. We also reaffirm our commitment to working together to transform Pakistan, in accordance with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, into a strong, democratic, prosperous and developed state.” ‘Pakistan seeks peace in region’ Country’s top miliatry brass also commemorated the war’s legacy on the day in a message released by the military’s media affairs wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said CDF Munir, Admiral Ashraf, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu National Strategic Command Commander General Syed Aamer Raza and the armed forces “pay profound tribute to the shuhada (martyrs) of Pakistan and extend their deepest respect and gratitude to the ghazis (fighters) and the families of our martyrs on the occasion of the 61st Defence and Martyrs’ Day”. “September 6 remains an enduring symbol of national unity, courage and resolve, reminding us how the Pakistani nation stood as one in defence of the motherland during the war of 1965,” the statement said. It added that martyrs of Pakistan “embody the highest ideals of honour, duty and sacrifice”. “Across the battlefields, skies and seas, generations of Pakistan’s defenders have stood sentinels and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Their immortal legacy continues to inspire future generations, while the families of our shuhada remain enduring symbols of fortitude and resilience. “We also salute our ghazis, who continue to guard the nation’s frontiers with valour, steadfastness and distinguished service,” the statement said. The armed forces remained fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests, it said, adding that Pakistan sought peace, stability and prosperity in the region and remained committed to responsible conduct and peaceful coexistence. “This commitment, however, must never be mistaken for weakness. Any aggression against Pakistan will be met with a swift and decisive response.” The armed forces renewed their “solemn pledge of unwavering devotion to Pakistan and its people”. “The supreme sacrifices of our shuhada, the spirit of our ghazis and the fortitude of their families will forever remain a source of national strength and pride. Standing united with the nation, the armed forces will continue to discharge their sacred responsibilities with honour, professionalism and unflinching resolve,” the statement said.