ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:
Pakistan wants peace with all its neighbours with dignity, but national honour and integrity will not be traded just for the sake of prosperity, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Saturday at a ceremony held at the GHQ in Rawalpindi to pay tribute to the troops who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Paying tribute to soldiers for rendering selfless sacrifices for the nation, Gen Kayani said that defining national interest was Pakistan’s right. He said the nation and the armed forces were like a single entity. “We believe in the unity of the nation and the army, just like a family.”
Stressing the need for dispelling despondency and pessimism, he said a prosperous Pakistan was in everyone’s interest, but national integrity and honour would not be compromised at any cost.
Appreciating sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan in the fight against militancy alongside the Pakistan Army, Gen Kayani said the country was passing through a critical phase and there was a need to forge national unity.
Pakistan, he said, was a peaceful country and it wanted to live in peace with its neighbours. He said the nation had decided to lead a simple life with honour and dignity and the armed forces were with the nation in their resolve.
The Pakistan Army, Gen Kayani said, had rendered great sacrifices for national dignity and integrity, adding that he saluted those who had laid down their lives and those who were still fighting for national cause. He expressed solidarity with the families of martyrs, and said they had fought for a national cause.
“Our jawans are always ready to sacrifice their lives for Pakistan and were ready to defend the motherland against any internal or external enemy,” said Kayani.
“We will not forget the sacrifices rendered by the Shuhuda and we need to strengthen the country for future generations.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2011.
P g�3as�� PF ing. As a counter-move, the PML-N is reportedly building an alliance with religious and nationalist parties and will accept former members who defected to PML-Q.
On the other hand, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar told The Express Tribune, “We are nowhere close to even considering rejoining the government until the issues of economy and law and order are addressed.”
While PPP leaders green-lit the decision to open negotiations with the PML-Q, hoping that a possible deal would smooth the passage and implementation of legislation, the PPP and PML-Q will have to appease their respective vote-banks.
On the other hand, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters on Saturday that the move was not in the interest of the people of Pakistan. Awan brushed off Qureshi’s disapproval, saying, “He wasn’t even in the meeting when this was brought up, so he is not aware of the facts.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (17)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ