ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday celebrated its 55th Defense Day with its political leadership commemorating martyrs and vowing not to “compromise” on the nation’s sovereignty and security.
“We shall never compromise on the sovereignty and security of the country, and any kind of misadventure by the enemy will be dealt with severely,” President Arif Alvi said in a statement on Sunday.
The Defense Day marks the date when Indian armed forces crossed the international border to attack Pakistan in September 1965 and has been celebrated annually ever since.
“It reminds us of the spirit and valour of Pakistan Armed Forces and the nation, by which they thwarted the evil designs of the enemy on this day, 55 years ago,” President Alvi said, adding that it “still lives in our hearts.”
Today, he said, Pakistan has achieved “self-reliance in the defense field.”
“Besides safeguarding the frontiers, the armed forces are playing an active role in internal security as well as the nation-building,” he said, before drawing attention to India’s “hostile designs.”
“We have also made serious efforts with a positive approach toward securing peace in the region, but, unfortunately, our enemy keeps hostile designs against us. It is covertly engaged in destabilizing Pakistan, and its aggressive policies pose a threat to regional peace and stability. Nevertheless, our policy, in this regard, is firm and clear,” he said.
Relations between the nuclear-armed foes have been tense ever since New Delhi revoked the autonomy of its part of disputed Kashmir on August 5 last year.
Urging the international community to take notice of what he described as Indian aggression in Kashmir, President Alvi pledged ‘’to support the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their struggle till the realization of the right to self-determination... in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.”
He was joined by Prime Minister Imran Khan who said in a statement, on Sunday, that Pakistan’s “desire for peace” should not be “misconstrued.”
“We need to work together for peace and securing a brighter future for our coming generations. With the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A, India had not only violated the UN Charter but has also unleashed reign of terror on innocent Kashmiris,’’ he added.
Pakistan reiterates support for Kashmir on 55th Defense Day
https://arab.news/wz6n6
Pakistan reiterates support for Kashmir on 55th Defense Day
- President Alvi lauds country’s armed forces for their achievements
- Country’s desire for peace must not be misconstrued, PM Khan says
Pakistan’s top military commander hails Saudi defense pact as ‘historic’ at scholars’ conference
- Asim Munir says Pakistan has a unique bond with the Kingdom, citing the ‘honor’ of helping safeguard the holy sites
- He says only the state can declare jihad, urging religious scholars to counter extremist narratives and promote unity
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday described the country’s joint security pact with Saudi Arabia as a “historic” milestone, telling a gathering of religious scholars that Pakistan and the kingdom share a deep strategic relationship.
Signed in September, the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement has solidified decades of Saudi–Pakistan defense cooperation, covering intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism and regional stability.
The two nations have long coordinated on defense matters, with Pakistani military personnel deployed in the Kingdom.
“The defense agreement [with Saudi Arabia] is historic,” he said in an address to the conference in the federal capital.
The top military commander said Pakistan regarded its connection with the Kingdom as unique.
“Among all Muslim countries, Allah has given Pakistan the honor of helping safeguard the Haramain,” he continued, referring to the two holiest sites of Islam in Makkah and Madinah.
Munir used his speech to warn against extremism, saying that under the Islamic framework, only the state could declare jihad, a pointed reference to groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which claims to act in the name of religion while carrying out attacks on civilians and security forces.
“When nations abandon knowledge and the pen, disorder takes hold,” he said, urging the religious scholars to help keep society unified and to “broaden the nation’s vision.”
Munir also criticized India, describing “terrorism” as “India’s habit, not Pakistan’s.”
His remarks came months after a four-day military confrontation in May, during which the two nuclear-armed neighbors exchanged artillery and missile fire and deployed drones and fighter jets.
India blamed Pakistan for a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir before launching a missile attack. Islamabad denied involvement and called for an international probe.
Pakistan claimed it had shot down six Indian fighter jets before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect.
“We do not hide when confronting the enemy,” Munir said. “We challenge openly.”
