ISLAMABAD: The nation is commemorating the 55th Defence and Martyrs Day on Monday (today) to pay homage to martyrs.

On Sept 6, 1965, the people of Pakistan and the country’s armed forces thwarted nefarious designs of the enemy.

The best way to pay tribute to the country’s martyrs is to uphold their glorious legacy by writing new chapters of virtuous deeds and heroic acts. The people and the armed forces are moving together with a renewed spirit to propel Pakistan into a more secure and prosperous country.

September 6 is a landmark day in the annals of the national history. The best way to keep alive and solidify the September 1965 spirit is to devote all energies and efforts to strengthen Pakistan against all external and internal threats.

Amid unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a dire need to rediscover the nation’s true identity of a progressive Islamic state as envisioned by its founding fathers, and display spirit, resolve and solidarity reminiscent of 1965, to help successfully foil the spectrum of looming threats to the security of the country.

In his message on the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi said that Pakistan, being fully cognizant of developments in its neighbour, was committed to securing peace, and prepared to thwart any plot hatched to hamper peace.

“This brave nation will never compromise on our sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” Dr Alvi said in his message.

He expressed his confidence that the spirit of Sept 6 had made the nation stand firm and steadfast against all odds.

“Today we are actively fighting a hybrid war being waged against us. I commend the security agencies for their relentless efforts towards exposing the enemy carrying out covert activities,” he added.

The president called upon the world community to come forward and condemn such naked hostilities aimed at sabotaging peace and stability in the region.

He emphatically stated that Pakistan would never back away from its principled stand on the issue of India-held Jammu and Kashmir.

“We stand by the people of Kashmir in their just struggle for the right to self-determination guaranteed under the UN Security Council resolutions,” he maintained.

The president said the country’s Defence and Martyrs Day stood out in history as a symbol of courage, patriotism and commitment shown by the armed forces and by the valiant nation.

He said the nation trusted the capability, combat readiness and resilience of the country’s armed forces that had successfully overcome the security challenges.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Directorate of Public Relations on Sunday released a new national song Main Ura or “I flew” on the occasion of the Defence and Martyrs Day.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2021