The world has changed so should the region, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said while stressing that the regional countries of South Asia should oppose fighting each other.

“We should collectively fight hunger, poverty, illiteracy, population explosion, climate change, and disease,” he said in his address at a ceremony held to mark the passing-out parade of the 146th PMA Long Course at Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul.

“The world has changed so should we as the price of status quo will be devastating for all of us, however, I must highlight here that our desire for peace must not be construed as our weakness.”

The army chief reiterated that no one should make any mistake about the country’s collective resolve to defend the core interest and every inch of our motherland.

“I must remind you that we have paid both in blood and trying to safeguard our sovereignty and integrity,” he said, adding that thousands of valiant sons have sacrificed their lives to enable the country to reach the place where it stood today.

He highlighted that the country has extended “sincere and all-out effort” to evolve good neighboring relations with all neighbors and regional countries.

“We are trying our best to break the political logjam which has denied the countries of South Asia to move forward and resolve all regional and bilateral issues in a peaceful and dignified manner.

The army chief stressed that the people of South Asia like the rest of the world deserve prosperity and better living condition which could only happen with sustainable economic growth and development and above all lasting peace. “We must strive hard to keep the flames of our away from the region. We must give peace a chance by developing a mechanism to resolve all our bilateral issues peacefully.”

COAS warns against ‘fake news’

The army chief said that advised the cadets to always remain focused on their job and don’t get distracted by fake news and political wrangling in the country.

“Respect the democratic institution and be always ready to defend the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with your life and finally! Always remain alert and prepared to respond to and defeat all intrigues and conspiracies hatched against our country with iron fist,” COAS Bajwa said.

He added that armed forces, with the support of citizens, would never allow any country, group, or force to “politically or economically” destabilize Pakistan.

“In the end, I compliment the commandant and his team for a job very well done and once again congratulate you on your hard earned and well-deserved commission in the army,” he said, “live your life to the fullest while respecting the morals and ethical values of our religion and culture. Also jealously guard and uphold our centuries-old military ethos and traditions. I am confident that you will embellish the proud penance of your regiments and battalions which you are about to join. May Allah be your guide and protector.”