The President General Pervez Musharraf has called upon the countrymen to imbibe the 1965 spirit of unity, faith and discipline at a time when the nation stood at the crossroads of its destiny. It strived for making Pakistan a truly dynamic, prosperous and democratic welfare state, where citizens could live in peace and harmony.
In a message on the occasion of Defence Day, (September 6) the President said in 1965 the nation and the armed forces stood together as the embodiment of principles of unity, faith and discipline.
"Pakistan is Alhamdolillah economically, stable, and has an impregnable defence, our nation is still facing multidimensional threats," he stated.
President Musharraf asked the nation to pledge on Defence Day "to uphold the dignity, honour and sovereignty of Pakistan at all costs."
Defence Day of Pakistan, he said is a day when the nation pays "homage to our Shuhada and Ghazis who stood steadfast in the face of heavy odds to defeated an adversary that enjoyed overwhelming numerical and technological vantage."
Continuing, the President said, "As we reflect on the events of September 1965, we must not forget that the major factor which led to our success was the fact that the nation and the armed forces stood together as a united and disciplined entity as the embodiment of principles of Unity, Faith and Discipline given to us by the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah."
Greeting the nation, he said Defence Day of Pakistan, 6th September "holds a significant place in the history of our country, for it was on this day in 1965, when our valiant Armed Forces and the entire nation stood united to thwart the nefarious design of the adversary, which had dared cast on evil eye on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our beloved homeland."
May Allah Almighty be our Protector and Guide. Ameen. Pakistan Armed Forces Zindabad' Pakistan Paindabad," the President's message concludes.
MESSAGE OF PRIME MINISTER: The Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged the nation to exhibit the spirit of September 6, 1965 and make the country a tolerant, developed, progressive, enlightened and democratic Islamic welfare state, as envisaged by its founding fathers.
He said Pakistan today is moving forward with an accelerated pace on all fronts notwithstanding enormous challenges.
He said "Our economy is on high growth trajectory, and we are utilising all our resources to make our defence impregnable. I am confidence that the Armed Forces of Pakistan are fully capable, and sufficiently equipped to defend the motherland."
He said the day caries great historical significance for the people of Pakistan.
"Forty years ago, on this day, our valiant armed forces along with the entire nation thwarted unwarranted aggression against the country."
He said it is also a day to pay homage to the Ghazis and Shaheeds who displayed extreme courage and ensured the defence of country.