• Elements who create rift between army, forces will face defeat: COAS.
• Operation Azm-e-Istehkam is part of NAP, says Gen Munir.
• Pakistan always played positive role in eradication of terrorism: PM.

RAWALPINDI: Army Chief General Asim Munir has advised against turning differences in political viewpoints into hatred, reiterating that the nation will not let “nefarious objectives” aimed at weakening national harmony to succeed. 

He stated this while addressing the Defence and Martyrs Day ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday.

The ceremony was held to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen heroes during the 1965 war, when the Indian forces crossed the international border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan but the nation foiled nefarious designs of the enemy.

The border areas in Lahore, Sialkot and Sindh were attacked by the enemy on September 6, 1965. The battle continued till the time when the United Nations (UN) administered ceasefire was accepted by both sides on September 22, 1965.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, federal ministers and other 

The chief of army staff (COAS) said the martyrs' sacrifices for the country against terrorists have brought stability to the country and strengthened the national security.

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

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

Speaking about the newly launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, the army chief said it is not a new counter-terrorism drive but rather a part of the National Action Plan (NAP) wherein strategy was chalked out to root out terrorism and extremism from the country.

The COAS also clarified that displacement of the civilian population will not take place under the new counterterrorism drive.

General Munir said that the long and non-conventional battle against militancy was underway and will go on till the elimination of “last terrorist from the soil of Pakistan”.

He said the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and the valiant people of Pakistan, especially the residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, are a golden chapter of country's national history.

He added Paigham-e-Pakistan, a joint strategy against the Fitna al-Khawarij, better management of the western border, merger of tribal areas, development measures in KP and Balochistan were significant achievements.

“The determination to bring stability is inevitable for the national security. We will defeat the elements spreading hopelessness and anarchy with unity,” he added.

“The nefarious intentions to weaken the national unity will never be successful.”

COAS Munir stressed the need to adopt harmony and unity, asking the nation to exhibit togetherness, tolerance and forbearance in societal and social affairs.

The army chief also asked to protect the rights of minorities, granted in the Constitution of Pakistan, by overcoming religious intolerance. “Quaid-e-Azam’s principles of faith and unity are a lighthouse for the nation,” he said.

Apart from geographical importance, the COAS said Allah Almighty has blessed Pakistan with abundant natural resources.

Emphasising the importance of country’s youth, he added that their role in country’s integrity and development is of immense importance.

Speaking about the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the COAS said that the illegal occupation wasn’t a national, but regional and global issue.

“Sustainable peace in South Asia can only be established after resolution of Kashmir dispute,” he added.

'Invincible defence inevitable'

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the sacrifices of the martyrs.

“This moment is an honour for me that I am addressing the brave soldiers and families of the martyred of the country. Defence Day is a great reference to Pakistan’s national identity. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by the soldiers for the independence and security of our country,” the premier remarked.

PM Shehbaz said the Defence Day “reminds us of the national harmony which helped the nation to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy consumed by the lust for power.”

He saluted the parents of the soldiers who laid their lives in the service of country and promised them to not let their sacrifices go in vain.

The prime minister said that all of us may belong to different fields of life but our war front is the same, which is the development, security and defence.

“Pakistan is a junction of various civilisations and several powers have vested interest here, which directly affects the country,” the PM said terming “invincible defence” inevitable for the peace and development of the country.

The premier said Pakistan is a peaceful country and “we have proved it in the 77 years of history that the country doesn’t have violent intentions towards any neigbouring country”.

Pakistan has always played a positive role in the eradication of terrorism and maintaining regional stability, he added.

With its nuclear, defence and technological capability, and military capabilities, Pakistan has an undeniable role in the promotion of global peace, the PM said.

“Peace is our prime wish and we desire peaceful relations with our neighbours but we will not compromise our freedom, honour and interest.”

He said that Pakistan has numerous times defeated the enemies but their nefarious plans are still a threat to Pakistan’s existence. He, however, assured the nation that Pakistan will never rest until it crushes the head of terrorism.

“The Armed Forces of Pakistan and the law enforcement agencies will follow the Fitna-al Khawarij and their facilitators wherever they are and will soon achieve success with the national unity.”