- By Captain (Retd.) Umar Farooq
As Pakistan commemorates Defence Day on 6 September, the nation stands at a critical juncture—facing not only natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, cloudbursts, and glacial disruptions, but also enduring the relentless pressures of proxy warfare, cyber aggression, and ideological subversion.
The defence of Pakistan has never been a singular military endeavor. It has been a multi-dimensional struggle—complex, evolving, and deeply rooted in the sacrifices of our armed forces, intelligence agencies, and civilians alike. Over the past 78 years, Pakistan has weathered some of the most ugly and insidious forms of aggression, both conventional and unconventional.
- Historical Wars and Border Violations
From the overt wars with India in 1948, 1965, 1971, 1999, and the recent escalations in 2025, Pakistan has faced repeated attempts at disintegration. The Line of Control (LoC) has witnessed decades of violations—particularly during the 1990s and 2020s—resulting in the loss of countless civilian and military lives, destruction of property, and psychological trauma for border communities.
Indian intelligence operatives have reportedly engaged in poisoning water sources, planting mines, and harassing civilians who mistakenly cross into Indian-administered territory. Many such individuals have been tortured, imprisoned, or killed, highlighting the brutal nature of this conflict.
- The Proxy War and Internal Destabilization
India’s strategic use of embassies and intelligence centers in Afghanistan to fuel a proxy war—in collaboration with TTP, BLA, and other hostile entities—has plagued Pakistan for over two decades. Suicide bombings, IED attacks, and assaults on public transport have claimed thousands of lives. The current wave of fitna-tul-khawarij extremism represents the climax of this long-standing campaign.
Sectarian violence, particularly the Shia-Sunni divide, was exacerbated in the 1980s and 1990s, with targeted killings of religious scholars and attacks on mosques. Simultaneously, foreign-funded political militias in Karachi promoted kidnappings, extortion, and attacks on law enforcement, further destabilizing urban centers.
- Global Interference and Technological Warfare
The United States’ drone strikes in tribal regions have caused significant collateral damage, killing innocent civilians and deepening mistrust. Meanwhile, Pakistan has actively intercepted and arrested foreign spies, including operatives from India and Afghanistan, working to undermine national interests.
In Occupied Kashmir, Indian forces continue to kill and mislabel young Kashmiris as Pakistani infiltrators, while Pakistan mourns the martyrs of Siachen, especially during the harsh winters of the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, Pakistan faces a new frontier: cyber warfare. The India-Israel nexus is reportedly deploying AI-driven propaganda, drone surveillance, and jamming technologies to infiltrate and destabilize our digital and ideological spaces. Climate change, deforestation, and glacial melt further compound our vulnerabilities.
- A Call to the Youth of Pakistan
On this Defence Day, the message is clear: defending Pakistan is no longer confined to the battlefield. It extends to cyber domains, intellectual forums, and ideological resilience. The youth of Pakistan must rise—not just with arms, but with awareness, unity, and unwavering commitment to truth and national integrity.
Let us remember: the defence of Pakistan is not merely a duty—it is a legacy. A legacy built on blood, sacrifice, and the unyielding spirit of a nation that refuses to bow.
May every Pakistani stand vigilant. May our resolve remain unshaken. And may our homeland remain safe, sovereign, and united.