Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said that people of Kashmir will continue to get Islamabad’s support on diplomatic front and described Valley as the country’s ‘jugular vein’.
Addressing the Defence Day ceremony at General Head-quarters Rawalpindi, he said that it was the day to commemorate not only the martyrs of September 6 but also the sacrifices of those who bravely fought and won the unconventional war against terrorism over the last decade.
"We salute the great sacrifices of the people of Kashmir for their right of self-determination. The solution of the problem lies in the implementation of the resolutions of United Nations in this regard. Pakistan will continue to support Kashmir on the diplomatic and ethical fronts," Sharif said.
The Army Chief asserted that ‘the defence of Pakistan is invincible’.
"I want to make it clear to all the enemies that the defence of Pakistan already strong but now it has become invincible," he said.
On the challenges the country is facing, he said, "I want to make it clear that we are fully aware of all covert and overt intrigues and intentions of our enemies. Be the challenge military or diplomatic; on the borders or within the cities, we know our friends and foes all too well."
On Pakistan's ties with China, the Army Chief said the greatest example of a relationship based on mutual respect and principle of equality in the region is the Pak-China friendship.
"China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the paramount evidence of this relationship. I would like to assure that we shall not allow any external force to obstruct it and any such attempt will be dealt with iron hands," he said.
General Raheel said the Operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists had achieved its objectives to confront terror, saying the armed forced will go to any limit to ensure Pakistan's security.
He praised the military, police and other law enforcement agencies for their "utmost efforts" to establish law and order in the country.
"There is a need to implement the National Action Plan and break the nexus between corruption and terrorism to fully consolidate the successes of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the entire country," he added.
He also saluted the people of Balochistan and their resilience saying ‘the determination of the Baloch people against terrorism was a morale booster for the army as well’.
“I want to let the enemy know that we know how to win and we also know how to sustain our victory,” he said.
On Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan, he said that Islamabad was sincere with its neighbor and brotherly Islamic country.
He added that there were certain elements, completely unfaithful to Afghanistan, trying to thwart the attempts at restoring peace in Afghanistan.
With PTI Inputs
