IN their Defence Day messages, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, governors, chief ministers and heads of the armed forces and political parties have reaffirmed their pledge to serve the country.

These people stressed the need for all segments of society to maintain unity and harmony by removing internal differences in order to step up efforts for the betterment of the nation and development of the country. …[T]hey also asked the nation to extend support to the government and law-enforcement agencies to eradicate terrorism and extremism.

There is no doubt that the country is facing numerous challenges…. It is the need of the hour for the entire nation to renew the promise of Sept 6, 1965. That was a big challenge … but the nation extended full support to the government and the armed forces, which thrashed the enemy with full force. … Today, too, the country needs the emotions of 1965 when patriotic young people sacrificed their lives … and pushed back [the enemy]. History reminds us that on their own, the armed forces cannot meet such a target unless the nation extends full support.

This year, Defence Day comes at a time when the nation is facing another big challenge: terrorism. In order to overcome it, the armed forces and government should show unity because it is always … a method of defeating anti-state elements. The nation has already proved its patriotism in parts of the country by supporting the armed forces against the terrorists. The sacrifices rendered by civilians are matchless. One can easily judge the sacrifices made by people suffering in camps at different places as internally displaced persons with minimum facilities. The problems have yet to be overcome. We need unity, religious harmony and a show of strength against all those busy in planning against our beloved country. The political parties are also duty-bound to play their role for the wellbeing of the country and show unity….—(Sept 6)

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.