By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday expressed confidence that Pakistan would gain an influence in the world by making its economy stable and maintaining a strong defence line.
“Through its integrity, economic stability, strong defence and national unity, Pakistan will emerge as a country with an impact in the world,” he said in his address to the military officers and soldiers, here at the Parade Ground.
The president joined the troops at the Bara Khana – a traditional joint feast for the officers and soldiers of all ranks, held at the culmination of the arrangements for the Pakistan Day parade.
President lauded the finest arrangements made by the administrators of the parade on March 23, which was also witnessed by foreign delegates including the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Countries.
President Alvi stressed a constant vigilance to counter nefarious designs of the enemy and called for effectively addressing the emerging challenges, particularly cyber warfare.
Dr Alvi paid glowing tribute to the country’s armed forces for defending the frontiers and for their immense contribution to the sovereignty of the homeland. “Your immortal sacrifices for the country will never be forgotten,” he told the troops.
He said Pakistan Army was the only military in the world that fought the war against terrorism and extremism in a “proper and effective manner”.
He mentioned that the army always provided relentless services to the nation in times of natural disasters, may it earthquakes or floods.
“We are proud of our army and believe that a strong army is vital for a strong nation,” he said.
He said the Pakistani nation had emerged resilient and steadfast after passing through several difficult times in its history.
He urged the Pakistani nation to have pride in its own values, which were imbibed with Islamic culture and ethics, and not to let the criticism of the world distract them from their goals.
The president recalled that in response to India’s nuclear test in 1974, Pakistan strengthened its defence line by achieving atomic deterrence in a short span of seven years.
In the wake of the global refugee phenomenon, he pointed out the hypocrisy of the ‘champions of the world human rights’ that let the migrants drown in the Mediterranean Sea.
Contrary to this, he said, Pakistan hosted around four million refugees from Afghanistan for over 40 years.
“This spirit of compassion and humanity makes the Pakistani nation stand tall amongst the comity of nations,” he said.
Earlier, President Alvi distributed shields to administrators of the Pakistan Day parade on making excellent arrangements.
Moreover, Pakistan and Turkey Thursday underlined the need for enhanced cooperation in trade, culture and defence, besides reiterating the resolve to support each other at regional and international fora.
The bilateral ties were discussed in a meeting between the visiting Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Yasar Guler and President Dr Arif Alvi, at Aiwan-e-Sadr here.
Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul also attended the meeting.
Welcoming the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, the president said that Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed deep-rooted relations which needed to be further broadened for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
He emphasised the need for increasing cooperation in the fields of trade, IT and defence.
The president reiterated that Pakistan would continue to support Turkey on Cyprus issue.
He also highlighted the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by India and its involvement in the genocide of Muslims.
President Alvi thanked Turkey for supporting Pakistan, particularly its stance on the Kashmir dispute.
Discussing the Afghan situation, the meeting emphasised that peace in Afghanistan was very important as it would bring prosperity to its people as well as promote regional trade and connectivity.
Congratulating the president on successfully holding the Pakistan Day parade, General Yasar Guler said that Turkey would continue to support Pakistan at every platform.
He underlined the need for further strengthening friendly relations between the two countries and expressed the hope that the new generations of the two countries would take forward the bilateral ties to new levels. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in supporting Afghanistan at difficult times.
