Manend Team 
ISLAMABAD, Mar 25 (SABAH): President Dr. Arif Alvi has said Pakistan
is laced with capabilities to defend its territorial integrity and
sovereignty, categorically stating that any misadventure will receive a
befitting response. He said Pakistan wants to move forward with good
intent and peace but our desire for peace should not be construed as
our weakness. President Dr. Arif Alvi said we will defend our
independence at all costs. President Dr. Arif Alvi reiterated Pakistan’s
support for the people living in Illegally Indian occupied Jammu and
Kashmir (IIOJK), promising them that Pakistani nation will always
remaining standing with them, adding that we are raising voice for
rights of Kashmiri people at every international forum and will continue
to do so. He said that the United Nations resolutions acknowledge
Kashmir as international dispute and without any doubt the
establishment of durable peace in South Asia is linked to resolution of
Kashmir dispute in a just manner.
This was stated by President Dr. Arif Alvi while addressing the military
parade at the parade avenue in Islamabad on Thursday. Defence
Minister Pervez Khan Khattak, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed,
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Syed Shibli Faraz,
Chairman Senate Mir Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Deputy Speaker
National assembly Qasim Khan Soori, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
Committee General Nadeem Raza, Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar
Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi and other
distinguished guests are attending the ceremony.
The impressive ceremony kicked off with the fly past of fighter jets of
Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy led by Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad
Babar Sidhu presenting salute to the chief guest President Dr. Arif Alvi.
Formations of F-16, JF 17, Mirage, AWACs, P-3C Orion and ATR aircraft
participated in the fly past.
While addressing the ceremony President, however, said Pakistan
desires peace, security and development in the whole region and has
also taken practical steps towards that end. He said peaceful
coexistence is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He said the
situation warrants that the leadership of South Asia reject the politics
of hate, prejudice and religious extremism to guide the region towards
prosperity.
The President said Pakistan is a strong nuclear power. Apart from
making progress in the socio-economic sectors, the country has
achieved self-reliance in defence. He expressed satisfaction that
Pakistan is also exporting its defence products. Dr. Arif Alvi said our
valiant and brave forces are symbol of our independence and
sovereignty.
The President said the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with
their armed forces in case of any foreign aggression as well as deal
with other issues including terrorism and natural calamities. He said
our martyrs and Ghazis are our pride.
He said anti-terrorism operation Raddul Fassad destroyed the terrorist
networks across the country. The world also appreciates Pakistan’s
successes in the war on terrorism. The President also paid rich tributes
to the leaders of Pakistan Movement.
Voicing serious concerns over the human rights situation in Indian
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the president said not
only Pakistan, but the entire world has been concerned with the
treatment meted out to innocent people. “Whatever is happening in
Kashmir, it has become a human tragedy,” he said. He reminded the
world that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute falls under the United
Nations’ mandate.
“The Pakistani nation is with the Kashmiri people and will continue to
stand by them,” Alvi said. “Quaid-e-Azam [Muhammad Ali Jinnah] had
said Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein. We are raising the issue of
Kashmir and will continue to do so.” He urged the international
community to take notice of the situation and play its role in ensuring
regional peace.
Dr. Arif Alvi said that Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan and the
world commends the efforts made by us for the establishment of
peace in the neighbouring country. The President stressed the need for
harmonizing with the latest technologies including cyberspace and
artificial intelligence to achieve the goal of development. He expressed
satisfaction that the country’s armed forces are not lagging behind to
lace themselves with these technologies.
The President said the way we achieved independence, the goal of
development can also be achieved by renewing the pledge of ‘Aik
Qaum Aik Manzil.’
Turning to Covid-19 pandemic, the President said despite limited
resources, the Pakistani nation has handled the situation with
responsibility and discipline. He was confident that Pakistan will also
overcome this challenge but stressed that we need to observe caution.
The President said Pak-China cooperation and collaboration is getting
stronger with the passage of time. He also expressed gratitude to
China over provision of anti-Corona vaccine to Pakistan.
Dr. Arif Alvi stressed the need for strengthening OIC so that the
increasing trend of Islamophobia in the world can be countered. He
said Pakistan has made every possible effort in this regard and will
continue to play its proactive role in the future as well.
