Azadi Parade 2011 held at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul

August 14th, 2011: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that he had no doubt that with the national resilience, abundance of resources and the huge reservoir of highly talented youth, the nation will overcome all the difficulties. Addressing the participants of Azadi Parade and Flag Hoisting Ceremony held to mark anniversary of ‘Independence Day’ here at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) on late Saturday, he said today, challenges being faced by nation were far greater and complex than ever before. “We have to put Pakistan firmly on the path to prosperity”.

He said that 14th August 1947 was a historic day for the Muslims of the Subcontinent. This day is testimony to the indomitable will of the Muslims to establish a separate homeland under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-i-AzamMuhammad Ali Jinnah.

“Let us, on this day, humbly thank Allah Almighty. Let us pray together that He gives us strength and wisdom to preserve and protect the ideology, solidarity, integrity and a bright future for Pakistan”, he added.

Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said, “we must stay committed to the ideals of Pakistan and remain ever ready to protect our motherland. I have no doubt that the challenges we face today, will only strengthen our resolve”.
He said the basis of our existence is the “Ideology of Pakistan”.
Therefore, each one of us must endeavour to pass it on to our future generations.
He expressed his firm belief that by following the golden principles of Islam, the nation will progress and win a respectable place in the comity of nations.
“We should never forget that Islam is the religion of peace. This great religion is the bond that binds us together and not a force that divides us”, he added.
Gen. Kayani said that for past 64 years, the Armed Forces of Pakistan have performed their sacred duty to defend Pakistan.
“Our officers and soldiers have displayed great courage, determination and professional excellence in discharging their duties. The rank and file of Pakistan Army draw strength from the contributions of Pakistan Air Force, Navy,civilian law enforcement agencies and especially the people of Pakistan.
“We could not have achieved this success without the resolve, commitment and perseverance displayed by the people of Pakistan”, he added.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of brave soldiers and citizens, he paid tribute to their families.
Their sacrifices, undoubtedly, underscore the nation’s ability and commitment to deal with any threat to the integrity, sovereignty and well being of Pakistan, he added.
He said that Azadi Parade by Pakistan Army has become a landmark event on the national calendar, which further strengthens our bondage with our beloved motherland.
This parade reminds the nation of the sacrifices that made the dream of Pakistan a possibility and also gives us a chance to renew the pledge of our commitment to Pakistan.
Earlier, when Gen. Kayani arrived at the saluting dais, the parade presented the General Salute. The COAS moved down the dais and hoisted the national flag at midnight.
After the march past, school children presented national songs, which were followed by fireworks display.

COAS SPEECH

AZADI PARADE – 2011

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen!

1. Please accept my heartiest felicitations on 64^th anniversary of the Independence Day of Pakistan. I thank our distinguished guests for joining us tonight. Your presence has added to the grace and spirit of the Azadi Parade.

2. Azadi Parade by Pakistan Army has become a landmark event on our National Calendar, which further strengthens our bondage with our beloved motherland. This parade reminds us of the sacrifices that made the dream of Pakistan a possibility. It also gives us a chance to renew the pledge of our commitment to Pakistan.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

3. 14^th August 1947 was a historic day for the Muslims of the Subcontinent. This day is testimony to the indomitable will of the Muslims to establish a separate homeland under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

4. Let us, on this day, humbly thank Allah Almighty. Let us pray together that He gives us strength and wisdom to preserve and protect the ideology, solidarity, integrity and a bright future for Pakistan. We must stay committed to the ideals of Pakistan and remain ever ready to protect our motherland. I have no doubt that the challenges we face today, will only strengthen our resolve.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

5. The basis of our existence is the ‘Ideology of Pakistan’. Therefore, each one of us must endeavour to pass it on to our future generations. We have a firm belief that by following the golden principles of Islam, we shall progress and win a respectable place in the comity of nations. We should never forget that Islam is the religion of peace. This great religion is the bond that binds us together and not a force that divides us.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

6. For past Sixty Four years, the Armed Forces of Pakistan have performed their sacred duty to defend Pakistan. Our officers and soldiers have displayed great courage, determination and professional excellence in discharging their duties. The rank and file of Pakistan Army draw strength from the contributions of Pakistan Air Force, Navy, civilian law

enforcement agencies and especially the people of Pakistan. We could not have achieved this success without the resolve, commitment and perseverance displayed by the people of Pakistan.

7. Let us acknowledge and honour the sacrifices of our brave soldiers and citizens and pay tribute to their families. Their sacrifices, undoubtedly, underscore the nation’s ability and commitment to deal with any threat to the integrity, sovereignty and well being of Pakistan.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

8. Today, our challenges are far greater and complex than ever before. We have to put Pakistan firmly on the path to prosperity.

9. I have no doubt that given our National resilience, abundance of resources and above all the huge reservoir of highly talented youth; we will overcome all difficulties – We will INSHALLAH.

10. May Allah bless and protect our beloved motherland Pakistan.

　Thank You and Azadi Mubarak

Pakistan Army Zindabad

Pakistan Paindabad

Rehearsal of Azadi Parade 2011 at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul:

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National Command Authority (NCA) met today

July 14th, 2011: The National Command Authority (NCA) met today under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. Members of the NCA including Federal Ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, Secretary NCA DG SPD, and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The NCA comprehensively reviewed developments in the regional and global security environment. The NCA also undertook detailed appraisal of the international and regional trends and policies and their implications for Pakistan.

After in-depth consideration and evaluation, the National Command Authority, inter alia, decided that Pakistan will continue to pursue its policy of Credible Minimum Deterrence as a responsible nuclear weapons state. The NCA expressed satisfaction at the security and safety of Pakistan’s strategic programmes and facilities. It also expressed confidence in the operational readiness of Pakistan’s strategic weapons.
The NCA expressed concern over the continued pursuit of policies that detract from the globally shared norms and rules of equality, inclusiveness and objectivity. The NCA cautioned that such policies represent regression in the non-proliferation regime and tend to erode the strategic balance in South Asia. Pakistan would continue to take appropriate counter measures to ensure its security and to maintain regional stability.

The National Command Authority reiterated Pakistan’s desire to constructively contribute to the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons and to the goals of non-proliferation on the basis of equality and partnership with the international community. Accordingly, Pakistan was keen to join the four export control arrangements.

The NCA reaffirmed the importance of nuclear safety. In this regard, it noted with satisfaction the safety review of all the existing and planned civil nuclear facilities by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA). The NCA directed the PNRA and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) to continue to ensure that our programmes conform to the highest levels of safety and international best practices.
The NCA was also briefed on the nuclear security review undertaken recently. It expressed confidence in the institutionalized Command and Control System and comprehensive measures put in place to ensure reliability and security of strategic assets. The NCA underlined that the Government and the people of Pakistan stood solidly behind the country’s nuclear and missile programmes, which would be pursued to maintain effective, reliable and credible deterrence capability, and all attempts to undermine this capability would be thwarted with full force.

As part of the energy security strategy, the NCA also reviewed and approved the futuristic, self-sustaining Nuclear Power Programme – 2050, to meet the existing energy shortfalls and to respond to the future requirements of a growing population and economy. The NCA emphasized the need to focus on socio-economic development of the people as a foremost priority.

The NCA also approved Pakistan’s Space Programme – 2040 in order to bring the benefits of the full spectrum of space technology to the people of Pakistan.

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