Pakistan reiterates support for Kashmir on 55th Defense Day

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.