The Demands of Our Geographical Defence

Defending the country has many aspects, and one very important part is the defence of our borders. This is called geographical defence. We should be aware of the dangers our borders have faced in the past and the dangers they may face in the future. Protecting the borders is mainly the responsibility of our armed forces, but our responsibility as citizens is to stand behind them, show unity and solidarity, encourage our soldiers, and support them in every way.

To understand the situation of our geographical defence, there are two important aspects that we must think about:

(1) The Promise of Kashmir

Nearly eight decades ago the creation of Pakistan was the result of a long struggle. Yet the vision of our founding fathers regarding our territory remains incomplete, as Kashmir is not fully part of it, even though it was an essential part of the idea of Pakistan. We are bound by a sacred promise to the Kashmiri people to support their quest for self-determination. They promised that when they are free, they will join Pakistan. Their slogan is “Kashmir will become Pakistan,” and our slogan is “Kashmir will be free.” This is a mutual promise, but this goal still seems far away.

(2) The Tragedey of Dhaka

The second point we must not forget is that the Pakistan created in 1947 lost one of its parts because of our own mistakes and negligence. In 1971, we lost half of the country, yet we have not truly learned from or repented for the mistakes that led to that loss. We need to seriously reflect on the foolish decisions and failures that caused the country to break apart, that separated East Pakistan from West Pakistan, and that led to the surrender of our armed forces. These mistakes are not imaginary; they are real facts recorded in history.

A commission was formed under Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Hamoodur Rahman, which documented the reasons for the separation of East Pakistan. That report still exists on record. I urge the youth and the intelligentsia of Pakistan to study these findings. We cannot afford to ignore the lessons of history; we must acknowledge our past shortcomings with sincerity to ensure that the mistakes of 1971 are never repeated.

Our Collective Resolve

Pakistan’s map will remain incomplete until the people of Kashmir achieve their destiny. We need to review what we are doing about Kashmir and what we should be doing. We must honestly examine our responsibilities and our shortcomings. Along with this, we must renew our commitment to stand with our armed forces in defending every inch of Pakistan’s borders. Whenever the country needs us, and wherever sacrifice is required, we must stand with our defences and support them without hesitation.

https://zahidrashdi.org/4410