The nation’s honour and integrity will not be compromised and traded in exchange for prosperity, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Saturday. Addressing a Youm-e-Shuhda ceremony at the General Headquarters, Kayani said, “What’s in our interest and what’s not is a decision only the people of Pakistan will make.” General Kayani pointed out that Pakistan was going through the most critical time but the nation should not let frustration and pessimism overcome it.
He said it was time to stand up and struggle for a progressive and prosperous country. “We believe in one army, one family and one nation and we will have to rise above personal interests and think for a strong Pakistan,” he asserted. He said the nation and its armed forces were like one unit. “A prosperous Pakistan is in the interest of all. We want to coexist peacefully with our neighbours,” he said, adding that Pakistan was a sovereign country and no decision would be taken against its sovereignty.
He said Pakistan was an independent country and would make all decisions in its own interest.
He said there was no room for hopelessness and asked the nation to join hands to take the country forward by crossing all hurdles. The COAS paid tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the security and safety of the country. Kayani said the entire nation was supporting and standing with the Pakistan Army against war on terror.
