• Calls for steps to protect youth from disillusionment
• Scaled-down Pakistan Day parade held at Presidency

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday said the entire nation and armed forces were ready to render any sacrifice to protect Pakistan’s freedom.

In his address to the Pakistan Day parade, the president congratulated the nation on the historic day and said March 23 was an important day as it laid the foundation for independence achieved under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam.

The president said the objective behind the creation of Pakistan was to establish a modern welfare country based on the principles of equality, justice and the rule of law.

On this day, he said the nation pledged to achieve these objectives with the same spirit with which the day was celebrated.

He said Unity, Faith and Dis­cipline — the guiding principles of the nation’s founder — enable the citizens to meet all challenges.

The president accused India of attempting to destabilise Pakistan while terrorists were aiming to achieve their evil designs through attacks and fears.

However, he added the nation and the armed forces were standing in unison and would foil their nefarious designs.

The fifth-generation warfare had turned into a challenge, he said, adding Pakistan had the capacity to overcome difficulties as it was a “spirited nation and would not bog down by challenges”.

The president expressed the resolve that despite all challenges, the citizens would continue building the nation. Pakistan was facing geo-political challenges, while the brave armed forces, with the nation’s support, were rendering unprecedented sacrifices, he added.

President Zardari also paid tribute to the armed forces and the law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices. The president stressed the need to further strengthen the defence, boost the economy and create jobs for the youth.

President Zardari said the young generation should be shiel­ded from disappointment and despair. Terming the youth “an asset of the nation”, he stressed the need to equip them with research-based education and the latest technological training.

Besides, he urged all the provincial governments to focus on social welfare initiatives.

The president said the journey towards progress was difficult but not impossible, as determination, hard work and the spirit of patriotism have always steered the nation.

He added that Pakistan’s foreign policy was based upon ensuring stability and peace and the nation wanted strong ties with its neighbours and the international community based upon mutual respect and shared goals of prosperity.

Mr Zardari said that on March 23, Pakistanis remembered their Kashmiri brother and sisters who had been facing Indian atrocities for decades.

“Pakistan extends its full solidarity to them and salutes their unprecedented sacrifices.”

The president reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue raising its voice across the globe for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and demanded the international community ensure the implementation of UN resolutions so that Kashmiris could decide their own future.

The president also expressed solidarity with the Palestinians and urged the international community to take decisive actions to stop the atrocities perpetrated by Israel.

Palestinians should be given the right to decide their own future and sovereignty, he added.

The president said the nation should work hard to realise the true objectives of the motherland.

The ceremony, which traditionally takes place at the Shakarparian Parade Ground, was scaled down this year due to Ramazan and held at the President House.

During the ceremony, formations of Pakistan Airforce jets filled the sky with green and white colours and displayed a marvellous flypast.

Different formations, including the Sherdils, as well as Mirage, F-16, JF-17 Thunder and J10C aircraft took part in the high-speed fly past, piercing through the sky with spectacular speed.

Earlier, the president reviewed the contingents of the armed forces that took part in the parade.

A presidential salute was given to him while the national anthem was played.

The president had arrived at the venue in the traditional chariot, accompanied by his bodyguards on horseback.

PM Shehbaz Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, all three services chiefs, federal ministers, parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic corps attended the ceremony.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2025