RAWALPINDI: Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir has said the armed forces and the people of Pakistan are determined to foil the nefarious designs of country’s foes.

He was addressing in connection with Defence and Martyrs Day at GHQ, Rawalpindi tonight.

The Army Chief said external forces, involved in fanning terrorism in Pakistan will not be allowed to succeed in their designs.

He paid tribute to all the brave martyrs and veterans of the great country. “I pray for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs whose holy blood cultivated the soil of the holy land.”

Salutations to the spirit of the great nation of Pakistan who bravely fought against the forces and enemies alongside the forces of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies, Gen Munir said.

He maintained that Pakistani nation is a strong and brave nation, adding that the series of sacrifices in the long war against terrorism continues even today, which will continue until the end of the terrorists.

The Army Chief said that law enforcement agencies, brave people of Pakistan especially brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have made unprecedented sacrifices.

While paying tribute to the martyrs, he referred to verse 169 of Surah Aal-e-Imran and said , “And those who were martyred in the way of Allah, do not think of them as dead, they are alive, they find sustenance by their Lord.”

A united voice against terrorists, the message of Pakistan, formal management of western borders, inclusion of tribal areas in the province, economic and social development measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are important achievements, the Army Chief observed.

These achievements are the result of the determination of the state of Pakistan and the sacrifice of martyrs and ghazis he added.

The COAS said Paigham-e-Pakistan, a joint strategy against the Fitna al-Khawarij, better management of the western border, merger of tribal areas, development measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are significant achievements.

He said the armed forces and the people of Pakistan are tied in heart-to-heart connectivity.

The Army Chief further said that some inimical forces are spreading confusion on the measures taken for country’s security and attempting to create a wedge between the armed forces and the people of Pakistan. He said these elements will be defeated with national resolve.

Highlighting the importance of Azm-e-Istehkam, the Army Chief said it is imperative for national integrity and is not a new operation. In his remarks about the ongoing Indian oppression in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Army Chief said rulers of New Delhi are committing genocide there. He said Pakistan will continue extending moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir.

Regarding on the ongoing situation in Gaza, Syed Asim Munir said Israeli aggression is a threat to world peace. He said Pakistan stands with the Muslims of Ga