Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, addressing a Defence Day ceremony at General Headquarters on Wednesday, called on the world to "do more" against terrorism. "If Pakistan has not done enough [agaisnt terrorism], then no country in the world has done enough," the army chief asserted. "Now I say that the world must do more."
"We don't want aid, we want your respect and confidence," the COAS said, addressing the United States.
"Let us create a pakistan where the use of strength is in accordance with the law and Constitution and is in the hands of the state."
"I would like tell misguided people that whatever you are doing is not jihad but fasaad. Your country and your people are being hurt the most by your actions," the army chief cautioned.
"Not only is the entire country paying the price of the fire of you have set, but our enemies are also taking advantage of the situation... A monopoly over violence should only be the prerogative of the state."
"For our complete success in the war against terrorism, we need the nation's passion and cooperation," he told the audience.
"Although the army can end terrorism, to gain control over terrorism and extremism it is necessary that every citizen is a soldier of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad," he maintained.
He reminded the audience that the war against terrorism is also an ideological war.
"We are proud of both, the green and the white of our flag."
The ceremony is being held in Rawalpindi to pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1965 war on Pakistan's 52nd Defence Day.
Gen Bajwa laid a wreath on a monument paying tribute to martyrs of the armed forces prior to his address.
Former army chief Raheel Sharif is in attendance at the ceremony, alongside prominent politicians including Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Leader of the Opposition in the NA Khursheed Shah. Well-known athletes and entertainers are also attending the event.
Actors Sheheryar Munawar and Sana Javed were among the celebrities who hosted the ceremony at GHQ. Anchorpersons Farooq Hassan and Sadia Afzal also hosted the event.
Singer Atif Aslam opened the ceremony with a patriotic song, as a video paying tribute to the armed forces played in the background.
A short film showing the families of martyred soldiers remembering their sons left members of the audience in tears. Activist and motivational speaker Muniba Mazari spoke at the ceremony.
Other entertainers also took the stage as the night progressed, and a series of short films and videos were shown to the audience. A marchpast also took place before the army chief took to the stage.
Earlier today, Defence Day was commemorated with traditional fervour and solemnity across the country, beginning with special prayers for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Change of guard ceremonies were held at the mausoleums of Allama Iqbal in Lahore and Quaid-i-Azam in Karachi, and a ceremony at the Pakistan Navy headquarters in Islamabad.
Former army chief retired Gen Raheel Sharif reached Lahore's Miani Sahib graveyard, where he laid a floral wreath on the grave of his brother Maj Shabbir Sharif who lost his life during the 1971 war on Dec 6 in the Sulemanki Sector.
