The
Pakistan High Commission, London organized a Defence Day reception at the High
Commission on 21 September 2017. Traditionally, the Defence Day is commemorated
on 6 September, but this year it was delayed to ensure that the guests are back
from summer vacation. The reception was attended by a large number of Defence
Attaché community, representatives of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
Pakistani community, media representatives and think tanks notables, says a
press release received from London here today.
On
this occasion rich tributes were paid to the armed forces and the people of
Pakistan who rendered great sacrifices in Pakistan’s fight against external
aggression and the ongoing struggle against the menace of terrorism and violent
extremism.
In
his remarks on the occasion, H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner
to the UK, highlighted the significance of the day and paid rich tributes to
the defence forces of Pakistan for safeguarding the sovereignty of the
motherland. The High Commissioner said:
“This
Day commemorates when, more than a half century ago, the armed forces and the
people of Pakistan joined hands to repel the aggression and valiantly defended
their country. Pakistan’s Armed Forces have played very significant role in the
national development as well as in responding to natural calamities.
“Our
Armed Forces have yet again established their mettle by defeating the forces of
darkness and terrorists who were not only threatening us but are a threat to
the entire civilized world. I am glad to share that the successful military
operations under the National Action Plan, called Operation Zarb-e-Azb and
Raddul Fassad are showing successful results. A small proof of this success
story is that today in Pakistan, a friendly cricket match between the UK Media
and MPs Team and Pakistan XI was played in Miran Shah, the headquarter of the
North Waziristan Agency, which until couple of years ago, was under the
clutches of militants and terrorists.”
The
High Commissioner also appreciated the growing Pakistan, UK military cooperation.
Speaking
on the occasion, Commodore Raja Rabnawaz, Defence & Naval Adviser said:
“On
6 September 1965, people of Pakistan demonstrated an unprecedented national
unity and stood firmly behind their valiant Armed Forces to thwart a serious
aggression by the enemy. Our soldiers, sailors and airmen courageously defended
their motherland. Today we also make a resolve to defend the country against
all threats.
“The
people and the Armed Forces of Pakistan have yet again demonstrated the same
spirit of national unity in fighting against terrorism and violent extremism.
No other country in the world has lost as many soldiers and civilians in its
fight against terrorism. Such successes would not have been possible without
resolute and determined support from the people of Pakistan.”
Colonel
Nadeem Iqbal Khan, Army & Air Adviser moderated the event. A short video
documentary on Pakistan military’s successful fight against terrorism and
extremism was also shown to the guest on the occasion.
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