Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir said on Saturday that nothing was more important to the armed forces of Pakistan “than the concerns of the motherland”.

Speaking at the passing out ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy, he said “the public of Pakistan is its biggest support and our loyalties are with the nation”.

Nothing is more sacred than the well-being, safety and security of Pakistanis, he added.

“Our efforts for peace should not be considered our weakness,” he said. “We will make all-out sacrifices for our nation. The army is ready to fulfil this responsibility at all times.”

“Go out now, and deliver to the expectations of your nation,” he told the graduating candidates.

“The army imbibes the vision of our great Quaid signifying no distinction of caste, color, creed, gender or geography.”

Vowing to eliminate terrorism in the country, he said, “there is absolutely no space for them”.

Turning to ongoing crises in the country, General Asim Munir said significant effort is being made by the adversaries to affect state and societal cohesion through multiple efforts.

“There is a dire need to identify the exposed and hidden enemies. In this regard, there must be a difference between reality and deception.”

General Asim said that the country’s enemies are hell-bent on driving a wedge between its people and the armed forces, and added: “We will ensure that the bond between Armed Forces and People of Pakistan is preserved and further solidified.”