ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying on Thursday that the countrywill not be part of anyone else’s war, rubbished the myth of acivil-military divide in the country.
Addressing the Defence and Martyrs Day ceremony here on the lawns of theGeneral Headquarters, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “We both [civil,military] have a common goal and that is to take this country forward.”He said the Pakistani nation was destined to rise as all state institutionswere determined to work together, to make it great.
“There is a myth of civil-military rift. There is no such issue. We have toelevate this country. Our life and death; is for this country …,” ImranKhan said.He saluted the valour and sacrifices of the armed forces, which stoodstrong against all odds in the aftermath of the 9/11 and the unconventionalwar that followed, to safeguard the interests of the country.
In categorical terms Imran Khan said, “Pakistan will never participate inanyone’s war. We have a commitment to stand by our people and protect ourinterests.”The prime minister, however, stressed that to make the country strong, “wewill have to strengthen our weak institutions, ensure merit and follow inthe golden principles laid down by our Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be UponHim).
Addressing the gathering attended by the families of the martyrs, the realguests of the evening, Prime Minister said the martyrs had the honour ofbeing on the second highest tiers of honour after the Prophets.Flanked by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the primeminister witnessed around two hours event along with his wife.
The attendees included Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee GeneralZubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi,Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar, Speaker NationalAssembly Asad Qaisar, Deputy Speaker Muhammad Qasim Khan Suri, ministersfor foreign affairs, defence, defence production, finance, information andrailways. Political leaders from across the divide included Shahbaz Sharifand Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Addressing the ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwasaid, “today was a day of solidarity with martyrs of Pakistan and that theyall were united for the defence of the motherland.”He said that September 6 was an important day in the country’s history andthat they had learnt a lot from the 1965 and 1971 wars.“Our forces and nation have rendered sacrifices in the war againstterrorism,” General Bajwa said. “Our houses, schools and leaders wereattacked. Efforts were made to weaken us internally.”
Noting that more than 70,000 Pakistanis were martyred and injured in thiswar, the army chief vowed to collectively fight this menace of terrorism.He said that enlightened nations do not forget their martyrs, adding, “Wewill avenge the blood flowing on the border.”