Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said the armed forces will continue to support the elected government in line with the law and the constitution. Addressing the passing out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Gen Bajwa said the army has always supported the nation in the same way the nation supported the army, especially when it was fighting physical battles. He added that the army will continue to support the government and “defend our democratic values to the hilt”. “We Pakistanis have proved that we can do wonders when we keep our national interests above our parochial, institutional and personal interests,” he said. Gen Bajwa said Pakistan is facing the threat of hybrid warfare round-the-clock and national leadership is its target at every level. “The Pakistan Army not only defeated terrorism but also defeated an enemy five times bigger than itself in February 2019,” the COAS said. “Commitment to the people, the constitution, the constitutional traditions and above all the homeland is our real strength and power,” he noted. “The constitution of Pakistan and national interests are our leaders in all matters,” he added. Addressing the cadets, the army chief said the Pakistan Army is a “beautiful and true reflection of our proud nation whether you are an officer or a soldier, from volunteer induction, to proportional representation of all units, from a madrassa student to a public school, from the son of a common man to the son of a middle class and above all of martyrs and ghazis are actually representing Pakistan beautifully.” “As you pass out today, he said remember that you were responsible for all the past and future ups and downs of this great nation and the Pakistan Army. Many of these fluctuations would have occurred even before you were born. Even after fulfilling your responsibilities, you would be held accountable for the security, safety and prosperity of Pakistan,” the COAS said. “This is a unique style of love and responsibility of the great nation of Pakistan on your shoulders. No one in Pakistan is responsible for what anyone else does. We consider it an honour to stand before the nation as a credible and accountable institution,” Gen Bajwa said. “So despite all the successes and challenges, whenever the country and the nation needed us, we offered ourselves for the best results,” he added. “Pakistan is a developing country, but the hearts of Pakistanis are very vast and big,” the army chief said. “The Pakistani nation will stand by you in every difficulty and challenge and will be proud and honoured by you,” the COAS said while addressing the passed out cadets. “It is incumbent upon you to always fulfill their nation’s trust with complete loyalty and unparalleled dedication. The confidence and strong relationship of the Pakistani nation in the forces is in fact the result of the countless sacrifices that our ghazis and martyrs have made with their blood,” he added. The COAS said the newly passed out cadets just have to be more discriminating with the help they render toward other people. “Discipline, diligence and impartiality should be their goal. You will have to devote a large part of your youth to hard work and a better future for the country. Accept it as a challenge, not a difficulty as soldiership is a difficult path and not an easy one to walk on. You have to dedicate yourself to this path and you have to deliver,” he said. He mentioned that “we have paid a heavy price for peace and will ensure its protection with blood to maintain peace. Peace is a milestone, not a destination.” “An economically independent and ideologically stable Pakistan, which is the vision of the Quaid, must always be strengthened,” he said. “Like many countries in the world Pakistan faced war, terrorism and economic turmoil, he said, adding, “Many countries of the world could not face these difficulties and fell apart.” Pakistan, he said, resolutely resisted all these conspiracies and difficulties. Now is the time to unite and use all our potential to put Pakistan on the path to prosperity and development, he said. “With this goal in mind, Pakistan has made strenuous efforts for regional and global peace in line with the Quaid’s vision. It is a difficult journey but the satisfaction is that today our institutions are getting stronger and working together to serve Pakistan,” he said. “The enemies who planned our destruction are watching our successes in despair. Our enemies are heartbroken after failing in their ambitions and in despair,” he added.