ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza
Gilani has said that Pakistan does not have any aggressive or
expansionist designs against anyone and celebrating Defence Day is
reflection of our national determination that Pakistan is peace-loving
country.
These views were expressed by President Asif Ali
Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in their messages on
Defence Day falling on September 6 (today). The day is a reminder how
the people and the armed forces together can conquer aggression and
overcome any challenge to the country.
On this day we salute
the people for their unprecedented unity, the armed forces for their
valor and courage to defend the country and pay homage to the martyrs
who laid down their lives in defending the country.
The need to
imbibe the spirit of September 6 this year is even greater as the
country is confronted with a new and far more serious challenge to its
existence from the militants, extremists and fanatics.
Let us
therefore commemorate September 6 this year by paying homage to the
great sons and daughters of the nation who laid down their lives in the
defense of the motherland. Let us also reiterate our resolve to
demonstrate the spirit of September 1965 in meeting the new challenges
to the country.
Our people and armed forces have offered
unprecedented sacrifices in the war against militancy. No other nation
has paid such a heavy price as the people of Pakistan in fighting the
militants and to safeguard their right to live in accordance with the
democratic values for which Pakistan was created.
On this
occasion, I wish to reiterate that the sacrifices of our people will
not go in vain. I also wish to pay homage to all the martyrs who shed
their blood while defending the country. They had laid down their lives
so that we live in safety and with honour. We will never allow their
sacrifices go waste.
Today is the 6th of September and the
people of Pakistan celebrate this day as ‘Defence Day of Pakistan’ with
traditional fervor with regard to September 1965 war. 46 years ago on
this very day, we had to step in for Defence of our territorial
frontiers and national sovereignty. The enemy was under the erroneous
assumption that it would be able to establish its foothold on our
motherland due to its military prowess and aggressive strategy. But
when it faced the valiant sons of the soil, defeat and failure became
its destiny.
The way our armed forces discharged their duty of
defending the frontiers of the motherland by demonstrating bravery has
become a very important reference point of the military history. The
entire nation forged unity in its ranks and stood shoulder to shoulder
with its armed forces in this hour of great trial. Every Pakistan
became a wall of lead. The memory of those days still warms our hearts
and ignites the passion of patriotism even today.
Defence Day
is a reflection of our national determination that Pakistan is a
peace-loving country. We do not entertain any aggressive or
expansionist designs against anyone but our love for peace should not
be construed as our weakness. We can pay the enemy in the same coin if
anyone undertakes any adventure against us. We have the distinct honour
of being the world’s seventh nuclear power and the first one to attain
this capability in the Islamic world. Our nuclear program is safe in
every respect. Pakistan’s Defence has become impregnable now. Our armed
forces and the people of Pakistan are fully prepared to defend the
national frontiers and no one can dare cast his evil eye on Pakistan.
We
are playing decisive role in a war against terrorism with a view to
making world a hub of peace. The entire civilized world acknowledges
our role in this regard. On the occasion of Defence Day, we reiterate
our resolve that we will continue to make efforts for establishment of
peace and make sure that the scourge of terrorism is eliminated. While
celebrating the heroic sacrifices of our martyrs and Ghazis of
September war, let us vow to shed our blood to the last drop in Defence
of our motherland and for keeping the national flag afloat. Online
