It is early in the morning deep inside the Indian border and a man pierced by bullets is lying wallowing in pain waiting for his ultimate destiny—the martyrdom. In the twilight that barely divides life from death this great son of Pakistani soil is recollecting his last rendezvous with his loved ones before coming to a war he did not choose to start .He recalls the moment when before responding to the call of duty in the 65 war this only issue had gone to take permission from his frail widow mother worried about her future in case of a casualty. Her last words echo in his ears: ìSon if you relent for even a moment while combating the enemy rest assured I will not forgive you my milk. Go and take out those filthy eyes that have dared to look with lust at your country. As for me please do not panic as I have seen my age and God willing we will unite again in the luxuries of heaven". The son has done just as advised. Before closing his eyes for ever he whispers in a voice barely audible to himself: "O Allah be witness that I give my life not for wealth or property or for any other material lust but for your commands and in defence of your country". And after recitation of Kalima his lips are sealed for good. The legacy of Pakistan’s defence is indeed the saga of utmost human valour and sheer heroism.

The nuances of defence can hardly be philosophised. When a threat is posed your heart causing an adrenaline stir in your blood tells you in a jiffy what is at stake. The history of the world’s vanquished lets you know what exactly can happen in case of defeat.

It indeed seems very easy for an armchair analyst to look back and pass judgments on things as complex as wars in retrospect. Yet it is only a leader who is responsible for the onerous burden of decision making and translating each decision into reality. As a soldier in the field has to take decisions every moment, he is charged with a unique chore of leadership. And the valiant men and women of Pakistan’s armed forces have proven reptile that there is no better leader in the field than them. There has passed not a moment when the nation called its forces for help and they hesitated.

The war of 65 is important also for the enthusiasm witnessed among the civilians and the common folk. A renowned Pakistani singer Malika-e-Taranum Noor Jahan, despite having performed and earned name in India, takes personal risks during the war to broadcast her melodious songs to encourage the country’s defenders. Aey putar hataan the naee wiqday (these sons are not sold at shops) and uncountable other zonking melodies warm the hearts of the soldiers.

Children thronged around the roads to salute to the troops marching to the borders. Even the common men were ready to rush to the borders with their private weapons to reinforce the country’s security. It really seemed that the entire nation has united like a fist to give the enemy blows in its soft underbelly. The enemy had no time to comprehend that it could no more take Pakistan for granted.

One peculiar thing about defence is that it cannot be restricted to one dimension or one enemy’s offences. Pakistan defence genius has repeatedly proven itself to be the best in its class. From repelling the Soviet onslaught in Afghanistan to combating terror in its own land despite all odds involved. There can never be one definition of security or threat. Pakistan dwells in a tumultuous region and has to bear the burden of interesting times. It cannot be gainsaid that Pakistan is still passing through the most difficult times in its history. We are trapped between the slanderous propaganda by our vicious enemies, the terror activities against ourselves by a nebulous enemy group that uses the name of Islam to justify its crimes and the overall hot weather in our own street. In such a situation it is only the armed forces of the country that are shouldering the actual burden of the struggle for this nation.

Today when the country’s forces realising how crucial it is to fight all enemies at once are busy in their struggle there is great need for the spirit of 65 to be manifested again. Terrorism is an enemy that weakens the internal defenses of a country. It is the scourge that eats it up from inside out. Pakistan has indeed achieved a great deal since the start of our own war on terror. While the armed forces of Pakistan have rounded up a host of elements that do not hesitate to even blow up the mosques along with the innocent worshippers, many a brave sons of this country have also succumbed to the war. In the time of global crises our soldiers have carved their niche in the global psyche through their acts of sheer bravery. And these sons of the soil have not stopped at it only. They have expanded their role to the global arena through the UN where their talents are known to be legend.

Pakistan is well aware of its pivotal position in the Muslim world too. Since it is dealing today with the symptoms it also wants to deal with the root cause of the malady. It recognises that terrorism can only flourish in an extreme atmosphere of anguish, insecurity and ignorance. Hence it has propounded the concept of enlightened moderation. Through this two pronged strategy it suggests that the west in order to alleviate the anguish in the Muslim world should commit to resolving its disputes and ameliorating its lot. Meanwhile, it recommends a route of reform and moderation for the Muslims of the world hence building bridges between the two civilisations of most central import.

The army of leaders have marched thus far. But this march of glory continues to its ultimate goal peace of the world. Even the worst propagandists know that this army of phoenixes is really a force to reckon with. That is why they fear it.

But there is indeed no dearth of those who adore it due to what it has managed to achieve despite serious scarcity of resources.