RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said that September 6, 1965 was a historic day in Pakistan when its armed forces with the full support of entire nation defeated a cunning enemy.
He was addressing the main ceremony with regard to Defence and Matyrs Day here at General Headquarters (GHQ). Prime Minister Imran Khan was the chief guest at the ceremony.
The Army Chief said that September 6, was the day to express solidarity with the martyrs of Pakistan. Recalling the events, he said every Pakistani became a soldier (on September 6, 1965) and played his role to safeguard the country. He said Pakistani soldiers fought valiantly and did not allow the enemy to inflict harm to the motherland.
He said the accounts of bravery and determination of Pakistani soldiers during the September 1965 War were still a beacon of light for all of us. “Even today our Jawans (soldiers) draw inspiration from this war,” he said.
The COAS said that Pakistan had learnt a lot from the wars of 1965 and 1971. He said due to the threat of conventional war Pakistan strengthened its defence capabilities.
He said despite economic difficulties Pakistan became an atomic power with the full cooperation of the nation. “This made country’s defence impregnable. But then started the era of non-conventional war. During the past two decades a wave of terrorism began in the whole world, which has changed the structure and character of the war. Unfortunately, Pakistan also became victim of this war,” he added.
He said while rendering sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, Pakistani nation and armed forces had learnt a lot. “During this period an attempt was made to impose fear and terror on us. Our houses, schools, worship places, recreational spots and leaders were attacked. Efforts were made to weaken and divide us internally," he added.
The COAS said during that difficult time Pakistani nation and armed forces remained steadfast. He said the entire nation together with armed forces fully fought the menace of terrorism and achieved unprecedented success.
He said more than 70,000 Pakistanis were martyred and injured in that war, besides it incurred economic losses.
He said the success in the war against terrorism became possible only with the cooperation and sacrifices of people of Balochistan, FATA and Karachi. He said the Shuhada and Ghazis included personnel of armed forces, Rangers, Frontier Corps, police and civilians.
He said Martyrs Day was being celebrated since 2014, along with the Defence Day to remember the matchless sacrifices of the Shuhada and Ghazis.
He said alive nations never forget their martyrs adding that the nations who forget their martyrs could not exist.
Expressing the determination to make Pakistan a fully peaceful country, he said that the sacrifices rendered in the war against terrorism would not go in waste. Moreover, we will also avenge the blood flowing on the border, he added.
He said during the past two decades Pakistan had passed through critical times and rendered several sacrifices but the task had not ended yet. “The war is still continuing. We still have to reach to the destination of enduring peace. We have to ensure the development and progress of the country and take it to the level where enemy cannot cast an evil eye on it again,” he added.
He said that Pakistan would also have to fight hunger, poverty and illiteracy and success on that front was only possible through unity. Instead of thinking for ourselves we will all have to think for our country, he added.
He said no individual was above an institution and no institution was above the country.
The continuity of democracy was imperative for the country’s stability, solidarity and progress. But democracy cannot flourish without democratic attitudes, supremacy of law and Constitution and strengthening of institutions, he added.
He said presence of leadership of various political parties, representatives of all school of thoughts and institutions in today’s ceremony was a testimony of the fact that Pakistani nation was more determined and united and soon it would get its due status in the comity of nations as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The Army Chief also paid glowing tribute to the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir, who were valiantly struggling for their right. to self-determination.
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