Pakistan observed the 54th Defence and Martyrs Day across the country on Friday. The day started with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals.
The chief of Army staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa addressed an event at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. On this occasion, he said, “A peaceful, strong and prosperous Pakistan is our destination and we are steadfastly moving towards that end”. “Our martyrs’ sacrifices have not gone in vain, nor will they,” he pledged.
“We have fought terrorism and now we must fight poverty, illiteracy and economic problems so that our martyrs sacrifices aren’t wasted”, urged General Bajwa.
Speaking about Kashmir, he said, “I want to assure the people of Kashmir, Pakistan will never leave them alone”. “Our hearts beat together and you are like our jugular vein”, he said.
Addressing Kashmiris, he stressed, “The people and the armed forces of Pakistan are ready to sacrifice anything for their Kashmiri brethren. We will fulfil our commitment towards Kashmir till last bullet, soldier and breath. We will go to any lengths in support of oppressed Kashmiri people.”
“When we look at the situation of the subcontinent, there are clouds of war and unease as well as hope for peace and prosperity”, he said, adding that Pakistan has always tried for a peaceful resolution to issues.
“We have always emphasized the importance of peace, prosperity and dialogue,” Gen Bajwa said, reminding that the example of Afghanistan was evidence of this.
