President General Pervez Musharraf, while calling upon the nation to combat internal threats of extremism and terrorism through concerted efforts, said on Wednesday that Pakistan could not be oblivious to its defence and security and its armed forces are ever-vigilant for defence of the motherland. Addressing a grand Pakistan Day Parade, marking the 65th anniversary of the landmark Pakistan Resolution, the President also expressed Islamabad's desire to have friendship and peace with all neighbours on the basis of sovereign equality, and called for flexibility and courage for a fair settlement of the long-standing Kashmir dispute with India.
"We cannot be oblivious to our defence and national security as our armed forces are equipped with the latest weapons, imbued with the spirit of faith, capable of high professional standards, and are ever-ready and alert for the defence of the country's frontiers," he said at the impressive parade held at the federal capital's Jinnah Avenue.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was the guest of honour at the parade, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Services Chiefs, members of the Cabinet, foreign diplomats, and a large number of citizens witnessed the parade.
Pakistan, the President declared, desires friendship with all its neighbours on the basis of principles of peace and sovereign equality. He, however, made it clear that Pakistan desired peace and wanted to resolve all issues through negotiations, but would never accept any pressure.
Pakistan wants a peaceful settlement of the lingering Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he said.
"The innocent Kashmiris have been victims to tyranny and violence for decades, we stand by Kashmiris in their struggle, and will continue our diplomatic and political support for them until they succeed in their great objective", he maintained.
"Our sincere prayers are with them," he said, reaffirming Pakistan's unflinching moral support for the Kashmiris.
The President underlined the importance of both the confidence building measures (CBMs) and the Pakistan-India dialogue process moving forward in tandem.
"If the real disputes are not resolved, the CBMs will also lose their impact," he said.
The President stressed the need for both Pakistan and India to move away from their complicated past, and hoped that the two sides should show flexibility, courage and honesty of intentions to resolve all outstanding disputes, including Kashmir.
"In the light of September 2004 joint statement, we will have to explore such options for the resolution of Kashmir dispute, which are acceptable to all parties - Pakistan, India, and the Kashmiri people", he said in reference to the joint statement issued after his meeting with Indian prime minister in New York last year.
He welcomed the forthcoming commencement of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service, saying it would help mitigate the difficulties of the suppressed Kashmiri people and families on both sides would have the opportunity to meet each other.
"This bus service is not a substitute for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute but a confidence building measure", he said.
Musharraf said Pakistan has faced many challenges since its establishment in 1947, adding: "We are grateful to Allah Almighty that we have successfully met these challenges."
Pakistan faces no external threat, but internal challenges in the form of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism, he said, and called for collective efforts to combat these menaces.
"What we need is that in accordance with the Quaid-i-Azam's principles of unity, faith and discipline, we make all-out efforts for promoting enlightenment and moderation in the country", he said, adding: "Pakistan came into being in the name of Islam, therefore, an inescapable responsibility devolves upon all of us that we project a correct image of Islam and the nation."
"We should promote real values of Islam, including peace, unity, tolerance and brotherhood", he stressed. "This is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and we will not let its Islamic identity be distorted in any way", he said.
The President said the threat the country faces, emanates from forces opposed to development and reform.
"We have to promote the real spirit of Islam - enlightenment and moderation", he said, and observed that the government alone cannot achieve this end and needs whole-hearted support of the masses.
"I appeal to the entire nation to strive for promoting peace and brotherhood and true values of Islam and extend support to the government in this endeavour", he said.
He paid rich tributes to the Armed Forces of Pakistan for their exemplary spirit, courage and sacrifice in defence of the motherland.
The President said: "Whether it is the snow-capped mountains of Siachen or simmering deserts of Thar, plains of Punjab or mountains of NWFP and Balochistan, deep oceans or open skies, the Armed Forces have been steadfast."
"The entire nation is proud of their Armed Forces", he said, adding it is a matter of satisfaction that in addition to defending the motherland, the Armed Forces have been contributing vitally to nation building as well.
He said: "Our forces have been actively taking part in the development of the people, specially in the fields of education, health and communications in the far-flung areas of the country."
Referring to the role of Armed Forces in rescue and relief efforts in the face of heavy winter rains and snowfall, he said they remained on the forefront of rehabilitation work.
Turning to the world scenario, he said it is changing fast, particularly the situation in our region has taken a quick turn.
He said it is a matter of pride that Pakistan confronted the changing situation successfully and made correct decisions.
The President congratulated the Parade Commander, officers, jawans, junior and non-commissioned officers and all participants for their brilliant performance at the parade.
Welcoming his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai as the guest of honour at the parade, the President said his participation on the occasion is a manifestation of close brotherly relationship between the two nations.
The Pakistan Day Parade, he said, has a special significance for the nation as it commemorates the landmark occasion 65 years ago when the Muslims of South Asia voiced their demand for the creation of a separate homeland to live in accordance with their religious and social norms.
The President paid glowing tributes to the leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam, and recalled that it was in a short span of time that under his untiring leadership the Muslims translated their determination into reality.
"Today's parade marks those momentous moments of history, and I congratulate all the participants on this occasion", said the President.
Addressing a cultural programme "Watan Kahani", held to mark Pakistan Day, at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President General Pervez Musharraf said that Pakistan, having achieved a strong defence and a fast-growing economy, is a country on the rise and the way forward for the nation is enlightened moderation.
"The way forward for us is enlightened moderation but we must differentiate between enlightened moderation and the Westernisation-enlightened moderation does not at all mean Westernisation", he said.
The President said the people should be proud of its culture and arts, which should stay within the societal norms and traditions of Pakistan.
"We have to have balance in our performances, in our attitudes - when we talk of our culture, we must strike a balance, we must remember that we have our own culture and our own traditions to guard and project."
"Let us have arts, let us have music but let us not go out of our societal limits, norms and traditions", he said at the function also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, members of federal cabinet, members of parliament, sportsmen, artists and senior civil and military officials.
The government, Musharraf said, is for promoting Pakistan's image through its arts and culture and would facilitate the artists in this endeavour.
"We are a country that knows arts and values its culture", he remarked.
The people, Musharraf said, should be proud of their country, as it is Pakistan which gives them identity.
He praised the performance of artists, who won great acclaim from the audience for their remarkable performance of national songs.
The programme concluded with the inspiring national song "Jeeway, Jeeway Pakistan."