Armed Forces Saluted By PM and President On Defence Day

Pakistan faces a security threat from the Taliban and all such designs against the country’s integrity will be foiled, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Saturday.

In his message to the nation on Defence Day, President Zardari said, “We will eliminate the Taliban and those who have challenged the foundations of the state. Let there be no doubt about it.”

He said the threats from the Taliban and extremists were a challenge for the country and its foundations.

Referring to September 6, he said the day would always be remembered as a memorable day, adding, “On this day, we salute the courage and heroism of our forces and pay homage to our martyrs.”

Zardari said the armed forces – backed by national consensus and the power of the people – had once again taken the Taliban head on.

President Zardari paid tribute to the brave people of Swat and Malakand who had endured hardships.

In his message on Defence Day, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the nation needed to exhibit the spirit of sacrifice of the 1965 war to confront terrorism.

“We will use all our capabilities to its optimum and overcome the challenges we face today,” the prime minister.

Gilani said Pakistan was facing with the threat of terrorism and the entire nation was supporting the armed forces, as they had in 1965.

“Pakistan demands the same spirit of sacrifice and valour which the entire nation and the valiant armed forces had shown during the ‘65 war,” he said.

“The way our gallant officers and men have fought against terrorists is unprecedented,” he added.

The prime minister said the country’s law enforcing agencies has wiped out the Taliban from Swat and Malakand, and also provided invaluable services for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.

“The nation will always remember the sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces,” he added.

He said Defence Day reminded Pakistanis of the resolve and enthusiasm displayed by the country’s armed forces along with the nation while defending the country during the 1965 war, and to pay tribute to the martyrs and warriors.

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that militants have been “almost cleared” from the northwest of the country and they were on the run, Geo news reported Saturday.

“Militants are on the run as Swat and Malakand have almost been cleared of them. This huge success in the battle for the integrity of Pakistan has been made possible by the sacrifices of our armed forces and the people,” Zardari said in his message to the country on the eve of Defence Day September 6.

“We will eliminate the militants and those who have challenged the foundations of the state. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it,” he added.

“We are confronted with the menace of terrorism. In the decisive war against terrorism, the entire nation is supporting our armed forces. Our law-enforcing agencies have wiped out the terrorists from Swat and Malakand region,” said Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his separate message.