In-focus

Pakistan

Country facing serious challenges: President

Dunya News

President and PM said that Pakistan has no aggressive designs against any country.

In his message on the Defence Day of Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the dark forces of extremism, militancy and sectarianism are posing a serious challenge to the integrity of the nation, but no one will be allowed to endanger its existence.The president, in a message on the Defence Day of Pakistan, said that Pakistan was a moderate, tolerant and peaceful nation, where political choices were made by the ballot. “Let us, therefore, pledge that we will never allow anyone to endanger our existence as a moderate, tolerant and peaceful nation,” he said.Stressing an urgent need for clarity of purpose and national unity to confront the challenges, the president said that the demonstration of unprecedented cohesion among the people, singularity of purpose at the national level and valour of the armed forces made September 6 a memorable day in the national calendar.He said on this day in 1965 the people from all over Pakistan and representing all shades of opinion joined hands in standing behind the valiant armed forces in thwarting aggression.“The commemoration of September 6 revives our spirits and strengthens our resolve to defend the country against all kinds of threats and to be always prepared for any sacrifice for its integrity and honour.”President Zardari said, “We salute the people for their show of unity, the armed forces for their courage to defend the country and also pay homage to our martyrs who laid down their lives in upholding the honour of the country.”In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that the nation needs the same zeal and commitment today as it exhibited in the 1965 war to defeat the forces of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.“I am proud that our valiant armed forces are fighting against these scourges with the support of the nation, and we remain determined to surmount all challenges to national integrity and security,” the prime minister said in his message on the occasion of Defence Day.Expressing complete faith in the people of Pakistan and armed forces, the prime minister said, “If we maintain unity in our ranks and remain resolute in the face of the odds facing us, there is no reason why we cannot defeat the nefarious designs of our enemies and overcome the challenges that confront us.”