Pakistan knows how to avenge upon its enemies: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that the war of September 1965 is a glorious chapter of our national history that bestowed a new determination and unity upon the people of this country.

The Defence Day events and ceremonies throughout the day culminated into a solemn gathering at the General Headquarters (GHQ) here tonight, to honor the sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces, who laid their lives for the defence of the motherland.

The army chief, in his address to the attendees at the GHQ, said the supreme valour of the men and officers of Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy has made this day the most distinguished day in the history of Pakistani Nation.

Fifty years later, he said, this day has also become the emblem of the sacrifices, steadfastness, and bravery of all those martyrs and heroes who successfully stood up to such enormous challenges as operation Zarb-e-Azb and a decade-long war against terror.

For the past few years, our country is faced with the menace of terrorism and an unconventional war in which the nation and the armed forces have rendered countless sacrifices side by side.

While terrorism has crumbled many countries around the world, Pakistan, by the grace of Allah Almighty, has valiantly fought these challenges," he noted.

"I want to make it clear to all enemies of Pakistan that Pakistan has always been strong and today it is invincible," the COAS asserted.

'Zarb-e-Azb has attained its objectives'

He said that almost 18,000 innocent citizens and 5,000 officers and soldiers have laid their lives, while over 48,000 Pakistanis have suffered serious injuries during the war on terrorism, adding "We shall not allow the sacrifices of our martyrs to go in vain."

"Zarb-e-Azb might be just another military offensive for the world, but for us, it is the war of survival for our homeland," he added. "We shall not hesitate from going to any extents to ensure our national security."

"The process of indiscriminate elimination of terrorists from our soil that we started two years ago in the form of operation Zarb-e-Azb has attained its laid down military objectives."

General Raheel Sharif said that we, as a nation, can be rightfully proud of the accomplishments made during this brief span and now we see the solutions instead of new problems.

For lasting peace, he stressed it was necessary to ensure countrywide implementation of National Action Plan, formed out of the collective wisdom of the nation, in its true letter and spirit.

'Peaceful message of Islam'

"Scholars, intellectuals and media must propagate the peaceful and universal message of Islam in order to eradicate the negative notions of extremism," he urged. "To root out terrorism, we must also remove such weaknesses in our criminal justice system which impede the complete eradication of terrorism."

Evil nexus of corruption, terrorism

The COAS said that the evil nexus of heinous crimes, corruption and terrorism is a great impediment to achieving complete peace and is a cause of social unrest. "Effective and far-reaching reforms are needed to break this nexus."

For the operation to yield its full dividends, all stake holders and institutions of state must play their respective roles with utmost sincerity and commitment.

'Mistrust'

While army and law enforcement personnel are putting their lives at stake to curb the facilitators, abettors, financiers and sympathisers of the enemies, some elements are trying to create an atmosphere of 'mistrust' in the nation towards security and intelligence organizations, said Gen Raheel.

He added that our morale remains high despite all these misgivings and accusations.

Efforts for Afghan peace

Commenting on Afghanistan situation, the COAS said that we are sincerely playing our active role for peace in Afghanistan, but some self-seeking quarters that are definitely not sincere towards Afghanistan, are obstructing these efforts.

"I bear upon such elements that Afghanistan is our neighbour and brother Islamic country. Peace and stability there is vital to Pakistan’s own interest," he maintained.

The army chief further said that we desire peaceful relations with all our neighbours but the fact can never be overlooked that the true assurance of peace in the region is the balance of power.

"Despite all external machinations and instigations, we are ever prepared for the defence of our borders and are capable to defend our dear homeland in all domains, may it be conventional or unconventional," he cleared.

Continued support for Kashmiris 

"We salute the great sacrifices of the people of Indian Held Kashmir for their right of self-determination," the COAS said during the address. "The oppressed people of Occupied Kashmir are once again suffering worst form of state terrorism and repression for demanding their due rights."

The true solution for this struggle for self-determination resides not in raining bullets upon the defenceless Kashmiri people but in heeding to their voice and respecting their aspirations, he noted.

"Kashmir is our lifeline, and we shall continue our diplomatic and moral support to the freedom movement at all levels," vowed the army chief.

"We are fully aware of all covert and overt intrigues and intentions of our enemies. Be the challenge military or diplomatic, be the danger on the borders or within the cities, we know our friends and foes all too well," he said.

"We know well how to abide by bonds of friendship and how to avenge upon our enemies."

'CPEC our national undertaking'

The COAS said that the greatest example of a relationship based on mutual respect and principle of equality in the region is the Pak-China friendship, of which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the paramount evidence.

This great project will not only consolidate our mutual economic relations but will also help the overall prosperity of the region, he said.

"CPEC's timely completion and protection is our national undertaking. I would like to assure that we shall not allow any external force to obstruct it and any such attempt will be dealt with iron hands," he resolved.

In the end, General Raheel Sharif paid tribute to the innocent children of Army Public School, the youthful students of Bacha Khan University, Balochistan’s lawyers, martyrs of the nation, valiant men of the armed forces, intelligence agencies, Rangers, police, and Levies, whose lives were laid in the defence of the country and the everlasting greatness of their resolute families.

Your passion reinforces our resolve, he added.