By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan is confronted with a new kind of security threat by militants and extremists, and all such designs against the country’s integrity would be foiled.
“We will eliminate the militants and those who have challenged the foundations of the state. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it,” Zardari said in his message to the nation on Defence Day.
He said the threat from militants and extremists was a challenge for the state and its foundations in a bid to impose their own obscurantist agenda on the people of Pakistan.
Referring to September 6, he said the day would always be remembered as a memorable day when in 1965 the country’s valiant armed forces backed by the people of Pakistan foiled aggression against the country.
“On this day we salute the courage and heroism of our forces and pay homage to our martyrs,” he said.
Zardari said once again, Pakistan’s valiant armed forces backed by national consensus and the power of the people had taken head on the militants.
He said the militants were on the run as Swat and Malakand had almost been cleared of them, while displaced families had started returning their homes in peace and with dignity.
He said this huge success in the battle for the integrity of Pakistan had been made possible by the sacrifices rendered both by armed forces and the people.
“We salute our heroes who laid down their lives and endured the vagaries of war so that the nation lives,” he said.
Zardari paid tributes to the brave people of Swat and Malakand who endured all sorts of hardships including dislocation from their homes with patriotic fervor and zeal.
He also appreciated the host families who with the same patriotic spirit hosted nearly two million displaced people, adding such character was the nation’s chief asset.