Anti-state elements create chaos in name of religion: Nisar

Says Pakistani soldiers equipped with ‘armour of faith, conviction’.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is not only facing external but also internal threats from ‘hidden’ enemies who serve anti-Pakistan elements to create chaos in the name of religion, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of the 9th National Integrated Counter-Terrorism Course, he said wars were not fought with weapons alone, but passion and firm belief was a pre-requisite.

The invisible enemy who cannot dare divulging itself uses the name of religion and thus brings bad name to it, he added.



Nisar said the Pakistani soldiers were equipped with the strong armour of faith and conviction while it was lacking in the enemies. Since its inception, Pakistan has been facing various challenges but its valiant armed forces have thwarted designs of the enemy.

Recalling the war songs of 1965 that used to fill every Pakistani with patriotism, the minister said the very spirit with which the nation had fought the 1965 war was still alive. “No one can defeat a nation which is full of spirit to lay down their lives and embrace martyrdom for the protection of the motherland”.

“Our armed forces are dedicated and committed to the defence of the motherland,” he added.

“Our enemies were hoping for something else but our valiant forces and brave soldiers have tarnished their nefarious dreams,” he said, adding that despite the machinations of the enemies, Pakistan will continue flourishing and will continue to make progress.

Nisar said the war against terrorism is difficult, but Pakistan has gained numerous achievements because of sincere efforts and sacrifices rendered by the army, civil armed forces, police and intelligence agencies. “We have to take forward these achievements,” he added.



Nisar said, “We can never forget sacrifices of our martyrs who laid down their lives to bring peace in the country.

He lauded the professional capabilities of personnel who completed their training and said they have been assigned a noble task to defend the motherland. The personnel have a firm belief that they would perform their duties with passion and honesty, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2017.