Pakistan deserves credit for fight on terror, defence attaché says

The Pakistani defence attaché to the UAE asks the world to recognise the sacrifices and successes his countrymen were making to counter terrorism.

ABU DHABI // The Pakistani defence attaché to the UAE last night asked the world to recognise the sacrifices and successes his countrymen were making to counter terrorism. Speaking at an event to celebrate Pakistan Defence Day, the attaché, Khawar Hussain, invoked what he called the "high standards of valour, courage and sacrifice" that the Pakistani military displayed during the war with India in 1965.

Addressing about 130 people, mostly diplomats, defence attachés and members of the Pakistani community, Mr Hussain said: "Pakistan is and will continue to contribute positively towards world peace. This is manifested by Pakistan's leading role in the war against terrorism. "On this front line we have sustained heavy casualties and incurred monumental losses. More Pakistani soldiers have fallen in combat than the combined casualties of foreign troops in Afghanistan."

The remembrance, usually held on September 6th - to commemorate the defence of Lahore against the Indian army - but delayed because of Ramadan, was marked with a rendition of Pakistan's national anthem and a cake-cutting ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Mr Hussain also used the occasion to pay tribute to strong ties between Pakistan and the UAE, which, he said, date to the 1970s. "Both armed forces share a common perception towards current challenges being faced by the world," he said.

"Both countries stood by each other in the hour of need. The world response, especially of the UAE during earthquake disaster of 2005, is a manifestation of brotherly relations between the two armed forces. And recently, UAE contributed extensively, in providing all out support for rehabilitation of three million internally displaced people who had to leave their homes due to Pakistani security forces' operations against terrorists."