Naveed Ahmad Khan
Islamabad: Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has warned against allowing political differences to transform into hatred, urging the people to follow three principles of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam.
“Don’t allow political differences to transform into hatred. The guiding principles of Quaid—faith, unity, and organization—should serve as our beacon,” he said while addressing a ceremony to mark Defence and Martyrs Days in Rawalpindi on Friday, commemorating the sacrifices of fallen heroes of the 1965 war against India.
The army’s top brass, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister, other senior military and governmental officials, and families of martyred soldiers attended the ceremony.
He said that Pakistan’s armed forces and the people knew how to defend its totality as the army chief warned foreign forces involved in spreading terrorism in the country.
“Pakistan’s armed forces and the people will never allow malicious intentions to succeed,” he said.
He expressed complete confidence in Pakistan’s bright future as an essential part of patriotism. The army chief urged the adoption of qualities of unity and solidarity, saying: “In social and societal matters, we must demonstrate fraternity, harmony, tolerance, and patience.”
He stressed the need for “fully protecting” the rights of minorities in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan, rising above religious intolerance.
While addressing the Jammu and Kashmir issue, COAS Munir said: “India’s illegal occupation not only poses a challenge for Pakistan but also represents a regional and global concern.” He paid tribute to the Kashmiri people’s struggle for freedom and asserted that lasting peace in South Asia hinges on the resolution of the Kashmir issue.
The army chief paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan. “Martyrs are Pakistan’s identity and their families are a source of pride for the nation.”
He asserted that “no power in the world can defeat” the Pakistani people, expressing confidence in the resilience of the nation. The army chief also commended the wounded soldiers and veterans of the Pakistan Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies, who have acted as a “formidable shield” against enemies of the state, ensuring national security.
Thanks to the eternal sacrifices of martyrs and veterans, he stated, the country’s defence would remain invincible.
He reiterated that the ‘Operation Azm-i-Istehkam’ was an integral part of the National Action Plan.
The army chief called for uniting against all factors that spread discord, uncertainty, and despair within the nation. He reassured that the nefarious objectives aimed at weakening national unity will never succeed.
He warned those who incite chaos under foreign influence, stating that they, along with those who justify and defend such crimes, would continue to face challenges.