RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday said that Pakistan is a peaceful nation, however, if war is imposed on them then they would respond to it in a befitting manner, ARY NEWS reported.
Addressing the ceremony to give away military awards on the occasion of Defence Day at General Headquarters (GHQ), General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the country has responded in a befitting manner when it was attacked owing to a foiled attack in Balakot.
Praising the war heroes of 1965, the COAS said that it was an unforgettable event in the history that witnessed remarkable stories of courage, valour and love for the nation.
“We mark this day to remember martyrs of 1948, 1965, 1971, Kargil and war against terrorism,” he said adding that it reminds them as to how the nation defeated an enemy far bigger than them and gives the courage to repeat the history again.
While lauding the families of the martyrs, present during the ceremony, COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa assured them that the nation would not forget the sacrifices they had rendered for the country.
They are our heroes and any nation that forgets its heroes will never be remembered in history, he said.
The army chief also lauded the army officers who received awards during the ceremony and said that they maintained the traditions of the armed forces while serving their duties. “The medal on your chest is also a matter of pride for us,” he said link.
He said that Pakistan got independence on the ideology of Islamic identity and the enemy is continuously involved in hatching a conspiracy to form a nexus against the identity.
He, however, said that the armed forces and the nation would foiled such attempts.
Qamar Javed Bajwa said that it was an honour for him to represent one of the finest and bravest armed forces in the globe. “The world has recognized the abilities of our forces,” he said.