WASHINGTON: The Pakistani embassy has organized an impressive event to mark Pakistan’s Defense Day commemorating not only the martyrs of the 1965 war but to all those soldiers who valiantly defended the nation. The event was attended by a large number of guests including diplomats, Defence, Military and Services Attaches, American officials and members of Pakistani community.
“Pakistan’s Armed Forces — the Army, the Air Force and the Navy — have always replied promptly to any foreign threat or a domestic challenge,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said. “In meeting these challenges, our brave and valiant forces have always lived up to the expectations of the brave nation.”
The Ambassador said, “Even today, our Armed Forces and the Pakistani nation are paying a disproportionate and exorbitant price in blood and treasure to combat threat of terrorism. Over 80,000 people including 10,000 security forces personnel have lost their previous lives in this war. Our forces continue to bear the brunt of a new tide of terrorism which has killed hundreds since August 2021. We are committed to quell this threat.”
The envoy expressed the hope that the world would recognize their sacrifices and express solidarity with the armed forces and people of Pakistan. He also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding resolve to global peace and security through its participation in UN peacekeeping operations in hotspots across the world, pointing out that since 1960, more than 235,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in 48 missions, with 181 making the ultimate sacrifice.
Referring to Pak-US defence relations, the Ambassador stated that defence cooperation with the US was a key pillar of its enduring partnership with the US. The two nations, he stated, continue to strengthen their military-to-military ties with a particular focus on counter-terrorism, disaster relief, security cooperation, military training and humanitarian assistance. “Both countries are committed to nurturing this partnership further and further,” the envoy said.
On the occasion, the envoy also expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK), calling on the world to support their legitimate right to self-determination and raise their voices against the current repression.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Attache Brig Irfan Ali paid rich tributes to all brave men and women of the Armed Forces, paramilitary and law enforcement agencies who laid down their lives in defending their nation. He said that Pakistan has perpetually encountered conflicts, insurgencies, internal security threats and natural disasters. He added that they still continue to counter-terrorism, campaigns against a complex of terrorist organizations emboldened by recent events in the neighbourhoods, but make no mistake that “We will prevail and root out this threat with the whole of nation approach,” Brig Ali stated.
The impressive event concluded with a rich tribute to the personnel of Pakistan’s Armed Forces, particularly those who rendered sacrifices for the liberty, freedom, and prosperity of the nation.
