THE resilient Pakistani nation observes Defence Day on September 6 each year with renewed resolve, dynamism and fervour. The day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to martyrs of the 1965 war and to all those who have sacrificed their lives in defence of the motherland. Ceremonies held by armed forces and their formations commemorate the courage and sacrifices of national heroes who laid down their lives while defending Pakistan against aggression and safeguarding its territorial integrity.
In Pakistan’s national history, September 6 holds particular significance. It commemorates the collective defence mounted by armed forces, supported by Pakistani people, following the outbreak of 1965 war. Beyond its historical dimension, Defence Day serves as a reminder that national security is not merely a military responsibility. It requires national unity, political stability, social cohesion, economic resilience and a shared commitment to sovereignty and integrity of the state.
The national observance of Defence Day has several important objectives: remembering valour of soldiers who fought in September 1965; paying tribute to the martyrs; educating younger generations about sacrifices made for the country; and reinforcing the spirit of national service and sacrifice. It should also encourage us to reflect on changing character of warfare. The battlefield of future is increasingly complex, technologically sophisticated and difficult to discern. Victory in such an environment requires not only military preparedness but also strategic foresight, intellectual capacity, technological competence and national resilience. The security environment confronting Pakistan has changed considerably since 1965. The country has endured a prolonged campaign of terrorism and militancy, particularly since beginning of the twenty-first century. The armed forces, law-enforcement agencies and civilians have paid an enormous price in confronting terrorist violence and restoring security in different parts of the country. The security challenges of today, however, extend beyond conventional military threats. Modern conflicts increasingly combine kinetic and non-kinetic instruments, including terrorism, disinformation, cyber operations, economic pressure, political destabilisation and attempts to manipulate public perceptions. The information environment has become a critical arena of national security.
As a nation, we have to understand and recognise that contemporary warfare does not necessarily begin with tanks crossing an international border. Rather a hostile campaign may seek to weaken a country by exploiting political divisions, ethnic and sectarian differences, economic vulnerabilities, institutional distrust and social polarisation. The objective can be to undermine national confidence and cohesion without firing a conventional shot. This changing nature of conflict places new responsibilities on state and society. The armed forces must remain prepared to meet conventional and unconventional threats, while civilian institutions must strengthen governance, economic resilience, education, technological capacity and social cohesion. Universities and research institutions have a particularly important role in developing strategic thought and preparing young Pakistanis to understand the complexities of contemporary national security.
Pakistan continues to face a challenging regional and international environment. Yet external pressures become more difficult to manage when internal divisions weaken national cohesion. Political polarisation, intolerance, sectarianism, ethnic divisions, misinformation and distrust among institutions can collectively undermine a country’s resilience. This makes the principle of Unity, Faith and Discipline as relevant today as it was in the early years of Pakistan. These words should not remain merely a historical slogan. They should be translated into practical national behavior: respect for law, tolerance of differing views, responsible citizenship, institutional cooperation and commitment to national interest.
National security is ultimately inseparable from national cohesion. A country whose citizens possess confidence in their institutions, believe in future of their state and remain committed to resolving differences through constitutional and democratic means is far better equipped to withstand external pressure. Defence Day should therefore be more than an annual commemoration. It should be a moment of national reflection. We should remember not only those who sacrificed their lives in 1965, but also soldiers, law-enforcement personnel and civilians who have made ultimate sacrifice in subsequent conflicts and counterterrorism operations. Today, Pakistan needs a renewed commitment to building a secure, stable, prosperous and resilient state. The armed forces have a fundamental role in defending the country, but national defence cannot be sustained by military power alone. The political leadership must strengthen democratic institutions and good governance. The media must promote responsible journalism and resist becoming a vehicle for disinformation and social division. Educational institutions should cultivate critical thinking, tolerance, patriotism and an informed understanding of national and international affairs. Civil society must contribute to social harmony and reject violence and extremism in all their forms. Citizens, meanwhile, must recognise that responsible citizenship is itself a form of national service.
The spirit of September 6 should therefore be understood not simply as a memory of a war, but as a reminder of collective responsibility. The greatest tribute to martyrs is to build Pakistan for which they sacrificed their lives: a country that is secure, united, economically strong, technologically capable and confident in its future. Pakistan’s security in the twenty-first century will depend on strength of its institutions, the resilience of its people and economy, the quality of its human capital and, above all, the cohesion of its people. Let us renew our pledge to protect the country against both external aggression and internal division. Thus, the lesson of Defence Day: a united nation is its strongest line of defence.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
