COAS General Raheel Sharif has no predilection for politics: Former president Raique Tarar

Lahore: A special ceremony was held at the Aiwan-i-Karkunaan-i-Tehreek-i-Pakistan on the occasion of the “Defence of Pakistan Day” under the aegis of Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust in collaboration with the Pakistan Movement Workers Trust, with the former President of Pakistan and Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust Chairman Muhammad Rafique Tarar in the chair.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust Vice Chairman Prof. Dr. Rafique Ahmad, Col(r) Ikram Ullah Khan, Major- Gen(r) Muhammad Javed, Justice(r) Mian Aftab Farrukh, Brig(r) Javed Iqbal, Major(r) Siddique Rehan and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Niazi. Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust Secretary Shahid Rashid conducted the proceedings of the ceremony. Those who attended the ceremony included Mian Farooq Altaf, Dr. M.A. Sufi, Ms Mehnaz Rafi and a large number of students, teachers and people from various walks of life.

Delivering his presidential address Muhammad Rafique Tarar observed that the Pak Army is a professional army and the incumbent COAS belongs to a family of martyrs and has no predilection for politics.

He remarked that, on September 6, the Pakistani nations rediscovered itself. The Pakistanis recalled the lesson they had learnt under the dynamic leadership of the Father of the Nation during 1940 – 47 era that it is unity and unity alone that can enable them to work miracles like the creation of an independent and sovereign state for themselves despite the formidable opposing forces like the British and the Indians.

Referring to the Pak Army personnel, he observed that they remain awake and alert on the border, so that we may enjoy a peaceful sleep. They also come to the rescue of their compatriots whenever a natural calamity such as earth-quakes and floods strikes. We must learn to value our army that is most certainly one of the best in the world, he remarked. It is sad to observe that the tour of the Chinese President has been postponed. Thank God it has not been cancelled, he said. He exhorted the youngsters to seek knowledge and strive to bring credit to their motherland.

Prof. Dr. Rafique Ahmad observed that one can readily perceive four very strong and positive points about the entity of Pakistan while studying the war of September 6, 1965. First, the morale and passion of the Pak Army made it the most effectual one. Second, the solidarity of the people of Pakistan with their army established the fact-that they valued and loved their army.

Third, the Pakistanis fully recognized their eternal enemy and braced themselves to confront it. Fourth, the Pakistanis realized that mutual trust must be built up with the friendly nations such as China. Justice(r) Artab Farrukh remarked that a war is fought by morale, ideology and passion, not by persons. Our personal interests have harmed us much as we have not been able to rise above them. The 1971 war was lost by our leaders not by our army.

Col(r) Ikram Ullah Khan remarked that in the 1965 war the whole nation was united and that is the reason that our army emerged victorious. If the people and the army are not on the same page, the threats from the inside and outside become more and more menacing. The need of the hour is to inculcate the same passion, zeal and zest in ourselves so that we may confront all the challenges successfully.

Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Niazi observed that September 6 is as important a date in our history as August 14 and March 23. Our Army is the best and most professional one in the world. India is our eternal enemy and we have to be cautious in this regard.

Major(r) Siddique Rehan remarked that it is the nations who fight wars, not the armies. It is the morale and passion of the people of the nations that counts. The Pakistani Nation demonstrated an unparalleled courage and bravery during the 1965 war. We must revive the same passion that characterized the 1940 – 1947 era and 1965 war.

Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust Secretary Shahid Rasheed observed that about half a century ago our eternal enemy attacked our country in the dark of the night. It was our high morale and passion that made us emerge victorious vis-à-vis this cunning enemy.