By Sheikh J. HussainLondon Jawadkhayal@icloud.com
Every year on the sixth of September, we pause to remember the day in 1965 when India launched a sudden and full-scale attack across our borders, believing it could weaken and divide Pakistan. But the enemy had forgotten one simple truth – that this land is protected by men who do not know the meaning of surrender. Outnumbered and facing greater firepower, the Pakistan Army stood firm. They fought in the fields of Lahore, the plains of Sialkot, and the sands of Chawinda with a courage that stunned the world. They turned back a mighty aggressor and proved to every nation that Pakistan’s defence is not merely strong – it is immaculate and unconquerable.
It is a defence built not on weapons alone, but on the blood, sweat, and unshakeable faith of men who love this land more than their own lives.There is a beautiful and powerful way to understand the role of our armed forces. The Pakistan Army is the white blood cell within the body of Pakistan, constantly working as the antibodies that detect, resist, and destroy every harmful threat – whether it comes from across the border or from within. Just as the body cannot survive without its defenders against illness and infection, our nation cannot remain safe and healthy without an institution that stands watch day and night, shielding the people from every danger that seeks to weaken or destroy us.This same spirit burns as brightly today as it did in 1965. Under the command of Field Marshal General Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army stands as one of the most professional, disciplined, and dedicated forces in the entire world. He leads with clarity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment, guiding the institution with a sense of duty that commands respect both at home and abroad. Every soldier serving under his command carries forward the same tradition of valour and selfless service that has defined this army since the very first day.
From the highest peaks to the western borders, from the deserts to the cities, they stand guard so that we may sleep in peace. They endure the cold, the heat, and the danger so that our children may grow up in safety. Their hard work, their sincerity, and their endless sacrifices have made Pakistan a fortress that no power on earth can bring down.We also remember with deepest reverence all the martyrs who have laid down their lives for Pakistan, in every era and every conflict. Whether they fought in 1965, in the mountains, or along the borders in recent times, they are all the heroes of this nation. May Allah Almighty accept their sacrifices, raise their ranks in the highest stations of paradise, and grant their families patience and strength. Their blood was not shed in vain. It became the foundation of our freedom and the shield of our future. We honour them not only with words but with the determination to build the Pakistan they dreamed of – a land of peace, justice, and unity.
But today, we must also understand that the nature of war has changed. We are living in the age of fifth-generation warfare, and the battlefield is no longer limited to borders and trenches. It has entered our homes, our phones, and our social media feeds. There are those who work day and night to spread doubt, confusion, and negativity against our institutions. They use every platform to criticise, to mislead, and to weaken the trust between the people and their defenders. This is not criticism – this is an organised effort to create division from within. It is a dangerous game, because an army can defend borders, but it cannot defend a nation that has lost faith in itself.We must remember the wise words of the great Salahuddin Ayyubi: When your enemies begin to curse and criticise your army, know well that your army is extremely sincere and is moving in the right direction. If our soldiers were not a threat to the enemies of Pakistan, they would not be so eager to paint them in a false light.
If they were not doing their duty with honesty and strength, no one would bother to weaken them. The very fact that our armed forces are targeted so heavily is the clearest proof that they are doing their job perfectly. They are the last line of defence against every plot, every conspiracy, and every evil design that is planned against this country.This brings us to our own responsibility as a nation. The army alone cannot defend Pakistan. True defence begins with us. It begins when we stand united, when we refuse to be divided, and when we refuse to let anyone create distance between us and those who protect us. It is our duty to stand beside our army, to trust them, and to support them in every corner of life. We must not let rumours, negativity, or foreign propaganda shake our confidence. We must stand with unity, faith, and perfect trust – the very principles on which Pakistan was founded – and place our full reliance on Allah Almighty, Who is the ultimate Protector of this land.Let us not be deceived. Criticism that comes from sincerity is one thing, but the kind that seeks to break our national spirit is something else entirely. We must be wise, we must be aware, and we must be united. Our strength lies not in our differences, but in our togetherness. When the people and the army stand as one, no force in the world can defeat us.On this sixth of September, let us make a promise. We will honour our martyrs not just by remembering them, but by standing firm in the face of every challenge. We will salute our soldiers, our officers, and Field Marshal General Asim Munir for their leadership and their devotion. We will reject every voice that seeks to divide us.
And with full trust in Allah and full faith in our defenders, we will declare to the world that Pakistan is here, it is strong, and it will remain forever.Pakistan Zindabad.
