"A war our army fought in 1965 and won it and a war our army is fighting today against terrorism and Inshallah we will win it also because in both the wars our army had and has the unflinching support the nation," said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah while addressing a ceremony to celebrate Golden Jubilee of Pakistan Defence Day organised by Sindh government at Banquet Hall of CM House on Sunday.
The ceremony was attended by Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, AVM Salman Ahsan Bukhari, Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini, provincial ministers, elected representatives, businessmen, member of civil society and notables.
He said that in 1965 war Pakistan army fought against Indian army which was more equipped and had more numerical strength but "our army had full support of the nation and even our artists such as Mehdi Hassan and Noor Jenah further inculcated the national spirit of our armed forces with their songs. As a result, we defeated a big army," he said proudly.
The chief minister said that Pakistan Army was considered one of the best armies of the world. "We are proud of our forces. We cannot forget the sacrifices of our soldiers who saved the country with their blood. On this day I salute to the mothers, sisters and sons who lost their dear ones for the sake of this country," he said.
Shah further said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto strengthened the defence of the country by making it a nuclear power. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto developed missile technology. "Today the borders of our country are more secure because of our professionally strong forces," he said.
Talking about war against terrorism, the chief minister said that the tremors of terrorism were felt by everyone but Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif felt these deeply. "I must praise him for his courage and spontaneous response. He moved his forces in the epicenter of terrorism (northern areas) and launched a vigorous operation which produced encouraging results," he said and added that today terrorist activities have come down by 80 percent in Karachi.
He also lauded political leadership, including former President Asif Ali Zardari for supporting the operation launched under National Action Plan (NAP). "This is a collective effort where civil and army leadership is on the same page," he said.
He also praised DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar and IG Sindh Ghulam Hyder Jamali for their collective efforts to restore peace in Karachi.
"Our police and Rangers personnel have laid their lives for the sake of peace in Karachi and I cannot forget their sacrifices," he said and recalled the recent Eid shopping and outing of Karachiites at the sea side as worth mentioning examples of improved law and order n Karachi.
Shah was sure that the armed forces would shortly uproot the terrorism from the country.
Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani while addressing the ceremony said that Pakistan Army has always played its due role assigned to them under the Constitution of Pakistan. "Wars cannot be won merely by army until they have the support of the nation and our nation has always stood by our forces whether it was the war of 1965 or the on-going war against terrorism," he said.
Raza Rabbbani lamented that the US leader visited Pakistan and made the demand of `do more', as a matter of fact she should have visited Sialkot to witness the aggression of India army and their designs to bridle them (India) but she didn't.
"It was not first deceit of US but "we are witnessed to your (USA) previous deceits. We were waiting for your fleet which never turned up," he recalled.
He also criticised OIC for their silence on the Indian aggression. "Our people come out onto the streets when anything wrong happens in any Muslim country anywhere in the world but not a single Muslim country has raised voice against Indian shelling," he deplored.
The chairman Senate said that the role once given to Shah of Iran is being played by Indian Prime Minister Moodi. "We would not accept it because we stand united against `you'." he added.
Air Vice Marshal Salman Ahsan Bukhari said that the spirit of the pilots he had witnessed in 1965 multiplied many times today. "In 1965 we had limited resources even then with the spirit of nationalism and unity of the nation we had destroyed the Indian forces," he said and added that the inclusion of JF-17 in the fleet has further strengthened the air force of the country.
Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini said: "We are not celebrating the war but celebrating the national spirit which was high in 1965 has reached now to its climax against war on terror."
Earlier Chief Minister's Special Assistant on Culture Sharmila Farooqui welcomed the guests and paid rich tribute to the martyrs of 1965 war.
The golden jubilee celebrations started with recitation from Holy Quran and then national anthem was played. Leading signers sung national songs and their music enthralled the guests.
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