RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday said that Pakistan’s strength and security were embedded in democracy and to make the country more stable, everybody would have to follow the principles of the Constitution, justice, tolerance and equality. “Negative attitudes like criticism for the sake of criticism, hatred and intolerance should be discouraged,” the COAS, while addressing an impressive ceremony in connection with the Defence and Martyrs Day here at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada, GHQ, said.
Highlighting the importance of public support in military operations, the chief of the army staff said without the people’s cooperation, any army would prove to be a wall of sand “like we saw in our neighbouring country”. He said the army-nation’s relation was a shield against enemy.
President Arif Alvi, who attended the event as the chief guest, in his address paid rich tributes to martyrs, Ghazis and their relatives for their unprecedented sacrifices for the country. President Alvi, accompanied by the COAS, also laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada.
The event was also attended by members of the federal cabinet, parliamentarians, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, services chiefs, diplomats, relatives of martyrs and Ghazis. The army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, said that Pakistan’s armed forces had all required capabilities to fight all external and internal threats, and traditional and non-traditional wars. “If any enemy wants to fight us, it will find us ready at every moment and on every front.”