Attempts to weaken army tantamount to undermine country: COAS

• COAS terms nation’s trust in military as “most valuable asset”.
• He says military will not allow let its sacrifices to go in vain.
• “Our response will be swift and painful,” says army chief.
  

---

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has stated weakening the armed forces is tantamount to weakening the country, pledging that the military will not let its sacrifices go in vain.

“We emerge as a strong nation after trial and tribulations. To weaken Pakistan's armed forces is tantamount to weakening the country itself."

He stated this while addressing the Azadi Parade at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul on the eve of Independence Day late Tuesday.

The parade was held at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul to mark the 78th Independence Day.

The army chief said armed forces will not let sacrifices of their martyrs to go waste and added that the nation's unwavering trust in the Pakistan Army is the military's most valuable asset.

“Neither any negative force has ever been able to weaken this relationship of trust and love nor can it do so in future,” he said adding that the armed forces have taken an oath to defend the country internally and externally.

Referring to the crises being faced by the country, the COAS said: “Historically, we as a nation have always emerged stronger after every hardship.”

Mutual trust between the nation and the armed forces played key role in this regard, he added.

The army chief was of the view that internal conflicts and chaos weakened the country and paved the way for external aggression.   

“Pakistan came into being to stand out among the comity of nations. Pakistan is a fait accompli and it cannot be undone,” the army chief stated.

Gen Munir said the country's people “are living as a free nation owing to the martyrs' sacrifices”.

Gen Munir said that the base of our national consciousness is the ideology of Pakistan, which stands on the two-nation theory.

“May the Almighty Allah grant us the courage and strength to defend the country and make it a successful and great example for future generations.”

The army chief said that the two-nation theory provided an opportunity to the Muslims of the subcontinent to have separate identity, culture and civilization.

The COAS said the menace of terrorism was once again rearing head in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the anti-state activities of “Fitna-ul-Khawarij”.

In a move to shift its war on terror from a physical to an ideological front, the government last month categorised the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as “Fitna ul-Khawarij”.

Gen Munir said he had earlier said about the fitna that "If you do not follow the Sharia and the Constitution of Pakistan, then we also do not consider you as a Pakistani”.

Lauding the sacrifices rendered by the people in KP, the COAS said: “The entire nation salutes them and is indebted to them.”

Lauding the brotherly countries for their continuous economic and moral support on international forums, the army chief remarked: “We are grateful to China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey, who always support Pakistan in every difficult time.”

In a strong and clear message to Pakistan’s enemies, the COAS said: “Whether it is conventional or unconventional war, dynamic or proactive war strategy, our response will be swift and painful.”

Moving on to Kashmir issue, the army chief reiterated Pakistan's moral, political and diplomatic support to the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for right to self-determination.

The army chief was the chief guest of the Azadi Parade ceremony.

The cadets of the Pakistan Military Academy presented a spectacular demonstration of their skills in the drill parade.

On this occasion, a special tribute was presented to the martyrs of the land.