ISLAMABAD: (APP) Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman has urged the nation to promote national unity and loyalty to the motherland in these testing times through the spirit of nationalism.
In his message on the eve of Independence Day, he said "In these testing times, only a sense of belonging and ownership with the country can inspire feelings of patriotism and self- sacrifice in the service of the nation".
"We must show compassion for others by being forthcoming and lending a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in distress", he said.
"Indeed, Pakistan is our identity and through the spirit of nationalism we can promote national unity and supreme loyalty to motherland," the Air Chief said.
He said, "Independence Day provides us an opportunity to reflect on our journey since inception, chart our destiny and work with renewed vigour and enthusiasm for peace, progress and prosperity of the country." Certainly, added focus on quality education, together with indigenization will give greater impetus to our progress, he added.
He assured that Pakistan Air Force was ever ready to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy. PAF's pivotal role in Operation Zarb-e-Azb was a manifestation to its operational preparedness.
He said,"Undoubtedly PAF always provides a level playing field for all and strongly believes in merit and professionalism which are the guiding principles that inform all our decisions."
He prayed that may Allah Almighty guide PAF' efforts and give them the strength to safeguard the aerial frontiers of the nation -a commitment to which PAF has always measured up with rare courage all along.
He extended warm greetings to all the countrymen and women on the occasion of Independence day.
He said, "This day signifies an epoch-making moment in our history that reminds us of the determined struggle and supreme sacrifices of our forefathers for a separate homeland."
In their quest for freedom, the Muslims of the Sub-continent stood united under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Quaid-i- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and bravely faced the daunting odds that came their way, he added.
With extraordinary fixity of purpose, he said they eventually realised their long-wished-for dream of achieving an independent state.
Celebrating the Independence day with traditional patriotic fervour, "we must strive to be worthy of our ancestors' tremendous sacrifices and prove ourselves true inheritors of the invaluable reward bestowed upon us by Allah Almighty," he prayed.