Pakistan stands with Kashmir, says President Arif Alvi
By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023
ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Thursday said that Pakistan stands by the people of Indian occupied Kashmir and will not abandon them.
In his address on the Pakistan Day parade, President Alvi congratulated the nation and military personnel participating in the parade for organising the "spectacular" event.
He also thanked the military personnel of the friendly countries present on the occasion.
The president said the day reiterates the separate identity of the Muslims of the sub-continent.
“Although Pakistan started as a weak state, now we have progressed well and have become a strong country which is self-sufficient in defence," he said.
President Alvi praised the armed forces for their services to the nation whether it was for security or a natural disaster.
He said that Pakistan’s armed forces eliminated terror from the country.
“Pakistan’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, despite meagre resources, is a lesson for the world. We would soon overcome the virus but precaution is necessary.”
He said that the country is passionate about the progress of our social and economic prosperity.
‘Pakistan wants peace in the world’
President Alvi said that we want peace not only in the country but in the whole region and wish for progress.
In an indirect reference to India, President Alvi said: “Unfortunately, the situation in South Asia and the whole region is bad due to conspiracies, hate, terrorism, bilateral disputes.”
He advised the leaders of the region to stop the politics of hate and religious extremism for a peaceful future.
“Pakistan wants to move forward with honesty and peace but our wish should not be taken as weakness and we reserve the right to respond befittingly to any misadventure.”
He added that we well secure our sovereignty at every cost.
‘Pakistan stands with Kashmiris’
On Indian Occupied Kashmir, the president said not only Pakistan but the whole world is concerned on the treatment meted out to innocent people.
“Whatever is happening in Kashmir, it has become a human tragedy.”
He reminded the world that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute is under the resolutions of United Nations resolutions.
“The whole Pakistan nation is with the Kashmiri people and will continue to stand by them,” Alvi said to Kashmiris.
“Quaid-e-Azam had said that Kashmir is Pakistan jugular vein. We are raising the issue of Kashmir and will continue to do so.”
He urged the international community to take notice of the Kashmir situation and play its role in ensuring regional peace.
‘China is Pakistan’s true friend’
The president also hailed the friendship with China, saying “China is Pakistan’s true friend and bilateral relationship between the two countries is strengthing in all spsheres including defence and security.
“Pakistan is extremely grateful to the government and people of China for the gift of coronavirus vaccine,” he said.
Peace in Afghanistan
President Alvi said that Pakistan sacrificed a lot for peace in Afghnistan and has always supported such efforts, adding, “the world has acknowledged Pakistan in this regard.”
OIC should be strengthened
The president said Pakistan has good relations with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Gulf states and called for strengthening the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) to fight the rising wave of Islmophobia.
He recalled Islamabad's efforts in this regard and said, “we will continue to play our role.”
