Strength & Honour

March 24, 2026

Newspaper, Opinions, Editorials

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As March 23 arrived, the Armed Forces of Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to the defence, internal security and sovereignty of the state, receiving tributes from across the civilian leadership. Yet beyond ceremony, this day demands reflection. It is a reminder of the enduring necessity of national defence and of the individuals who shoulder that burden. The decision by President Asif Ali Zardari to confer military awards upon 1,989 personnel across categories is therefore not merely symbolic; it is a recognition of service, sacrifice and distinction.

Those who place their lives and well-being at risk for the safety of others deserve more than passing acknowledgement. Their commitment must be honoured not only in medals but in the collective memory of the nation. Individuals who distinguish themselves in the field through bravery, discipline and resolve must be upheld as examples, both for their peers and for future generations. Nations that neglect this ethos often find themselves vulnerable, their security outsourced or compromised.

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Recent global developments underscore this reality. Wealth and influence alone do not guarantee sovereignty. Several Gulf states, despite vast financial resources, remain dependent on foreign military presence for their security. In contrast, smaller or more constrained forces in Yemen and Lebanon have demonstrated that cohesion, preparedness and resolve can offset material disadvantages. Whether in protracted regional conflicts or asymmetric engagements, it is ultimately the will to defend, backed by credible capability, that determines outcomes.

For Pakistan, this lesson is neither abstract nor distant. The country has faced persistent security challenges, particularly along its western frontier. In these circumstances, the Armed Forces have borne the brunt of the fight, often at significant cost, to ensure that violence does not spill into the country’s cities. Their efforts have sustained a degree of internal stability that cannot be taken for granted.

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Strength, honour and sacrifice remain the foundations upon which national security rests. These are not rhetorical ideals but lived realities for those in uniform. As a nation, Pakistan must continue to recognise and uphold this commitment, ensuring that the sacrifices made in its defence are neither forgotten nor diminished.

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