Lt Col (R) Khalid Taimur Akram
Pakistan is ready to celebrate its 66th Defense Day today to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen heroes who lost their lives in the 1965 and 1971 wars, the Kargil conflict and the ongoing war on terror.6th September is undoubtedly a golden chapter in the history of Pakistan, when Pakistan, its military as well as the people stood together in 1965 in defense of Pakistan. After that in 1971, taking the benefit of the civil war in East Pakistan, confronted and also dismembered Pakistan in a mortifying defeat. Though, in the first war the whole nation was united while in the second war it was fighting with itself.
For a country like Pakistan which is facing threats on multiple fronts in the form of hybrid warfare being imposed by its enemies, the security of its physical borders and sanctity of its sovereignty is of utmost importance. Since independence, enemies of this state have used nefarious means to undermine its security only to be repulsed by the grit and determination of its Armed Forces and resilience of its people.
Defense Day is the day that retells us about a lot of heroes, their magnificent accounts, and stories of martyrdom or the selfless sacrifices. Countless brave men have imprinted these days in the history along with their blood and with their unmatched sacrifices. This is the day; when we tell again ourselves, when we take a trip down memory path, recall and also pay service to all those who gave their valuable lives to defend the honour of their homeland.
While, perceiving the current situation, I feel that we as a nation seriously need national unity. There is an observable decay in morals and in main concerns. During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the complete nation, the civilian as well as the uniform workforces stood together just like a rock against their enemies together with their great national enthusiasm and coherence which turned the face of tides towards the enemy of Pakistan. At present, we are passing through more physically and also through the mentally demanding war and clashes. The strange wars we are fighting for a decade have taken a massive clang in terms of human loss, setup damage, economic loss and also results in internal uncertainty. In addition to the war, there was a rise in sectarian conflicts and few small scale separatist movements. Last few years were extremely challenging for Pakistan, but somehow our security forces and the resilient civilians managed to overcome that time. Though, the situation is not stable or very peaceful, but still the national struggle made it to come this far.
Keeping in view, the theme of Defense Day, we should follow the examples of our national heroes who sacrifice their lives for us and for their beloved country Pakistan. The soldiers and the citizens who have martyred during this era have beaten all the earlier figures. More soldiers have martyred and also got injured in this war alongside terrorism, then joined figures of 1949, 1965, 1971 wars, Sichen plus Kargil battles. Briefly, over the years, the sacrifices made by our brave armed forces and citizens have increased, and the honors and gratitude have seen a noticeable decay. We must highlight the role of media, which is quite significant in this complete situation. Media should play its affirmative role in elevating the self-esteem of all those subsidizing their share towards a nonviolent and flourishing Pakistan.
The current situation is way so difficult as compared to that situation that we faced in past. Conservative conflict is quite easy and also controllable as compared to the eccentric warfare. After the Kargil war, the operation Zarb-e-Azab and Radd-ul-Fisaad on terror is one of the utmost conflicts, Pakistan would ever face. Guerilla warfare strategies are utilized through the inland enemy against our armed. Subtleties of this decade long conflict are far-off more complex and erratic as compared to the all earlier conflicts. Unpredictability and also the indecision succeed at all levels and at all the spheres. Enemy joined along with its tactics and dynamics have produced the massive of lives, as well serious harm to the set-up and also to the economy. From time to time, our armed forces have gone from lows and also from highs, and also have proven to be considered as one of the best armed forces in the entire world, when it comes to competence, courage and bravery as well.
We must not forget that we are still passing through a stage of war. Those regions that have been cleared are getting through post-war restoration and renovation stage. Operation Zarb-e-Azb was a very vital military operation which took undertaking in North Waziristan and now Radd-ul-Fisaad. If we perceive, all these days in which this operation is getting through are “Defence Days” for us. Still our armed forces are unselfishly sacrificing for the nationwide honour and our comrades of North Waziristan who are fighting a war on behalf of all Pakistani civilians. Over and over again, through various occasions and parts, we are being retold about the significance of national unity, and we actually required to learn the lessons and to move forward.
The Defense Day of Pakistan, moreover highlighting and retelling us about the great sacrifices and about the epic acts of our brave armed forces, also retell us our duties as well as our responsibilities towards our nation. The Defense Day also tell us of our internal insecurities and faults and also about our role in national unity and concord.
A lot of brave soldiers have sacrificed their lives for the righteousness as well as for the dignity of our beloved homeland and this proud green flag and countless are ready to shed their blood. This land is protected by brave sons and daughters of the nation; moreover it can never be damaged by sinful intentions till the last man standing for the protection of this land.
The author is Executive Director of the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), a non-profit institution based in Islamabad.
