COAS, PM reiterate resolve to stand firm against terrorism 

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have renewed their resolve to continue the fight against terrorism.

Addressing the Defence and Martyrs Day of Pakistan ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Friday, they paid glowing tribute to the brave sons of the soil who made sacrifices for the defence of the motherland.

“I pray for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs whose holy blood cultivated the soil of the holy land,” he said in his historic speech at the Defence and Martyrs Day of Pakistan ceremony.

The Army Chief heaped praise on the nation for its standing by the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against the enemies.

He said: “The Pak forces, law enforcement agencies, brave people of Pakistan especially brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have made unprecedented sacrifices.”

He added: “The united voice against Fitnah al-Khawarij, protecting western borders, merging tribal areas into the province, and economic and social development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are significant achievements.

"These achievements are the result of the determination of the state of Pakistan and the sacrifice of martyrs and veterans."

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The COAS stressed: “ The series of sacrifices in the long war against terrorism continues even today and will continue until the terrorists are purged out of the country.”

He said the martyr's sacrifices for the country against terrorists have brought stability to the country and protected national security.

“The relation between the armed forces and the nation is of heart,” the COAS said. “The nation has always strengthened the army, be it the rescue works in the events of natural disasters, foreign hostilities, or war against terrorism.

"The strong bond between the people and the military is a guarantor of the country’s enemies’ defeat, the army chief said adding that the elements that create a rift between the army and the forces will have to face defeat as always."

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The Army Chief advised against turning political viewpoints into hatred, reiterating that the nation will not let “nefarious objectives” weaken national harmony to succeed.

“Global changes have a profound impact on a country like Pakistan, and political differences should not be turned into hatred for the sake of national unity.”

He continued: “The relation between the armed forces and the nation is of heart. I want to make foreign powers involved in the spread of terrorism that the Pakistani people and military know how to defend their integrity. Wherever we find terrorists, we will eliminate them.

“The Azm-e-Istehkam was a key part of the National Action Plan and it is not any new operation. No one will be displaced while implementing the Azm-e-Istehkam.

“Our true asset is the people, especially the younger generation”.

He reiterated the call for resolving the Kashmir issue as per the aspiration of Kashmiris, saying “India's illegal occupation of Kashmir is a global issue. The establishment of sustainable peace in South Asia is conditional on resolving the Kashmir issue.

“We will continue to support the just struggle of the Kashmiris until they achieve their right to self-determination,” the army chief maintained.

Paying tribute to the martyrs and their families, the premier said: “It is an honour to address the families of martyrs. We pay tribute to our heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country.”

He added: “In the September 6, 1965 war, our youth crushed the enemy's ambitions with unparalleled bravery.

“The enemy got that the attack was a blatant mistake. I salute the mothers of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

The prime minister continued: “Impregnable defence is our first national imperative. Pakistan has no aggressive ambitions against any neighbour. But we will not compromise on our independence and sovereignty.

“The Army will continue operations against Fitnah Al-Khawarij and facilitators.”