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    Reviving the Spirit of September '65

    Reviving the Spirit of September, 1965

    Written by: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed
    Posted on: September 04 2015 | | 中文

    Pakistan Army during the Zarb-e-Azb operation

    50 years after, the people of Pakistan can feel the Spirit of the September 1965 war permeating the national landscape. 

    What are the essential ingredients of that Spirit?  Unity of purpose, both among the political forces and the armed forces, to achieve a common national objective.  When India launched its aggression across the international border by attacking Lahore in the wee hours of September 6, 1965, the entire Pakistan nation presented a united front to resist that aggression.  The resonance of that Spirit of 1965 can now be felt in Pakistan, in the aftermath of the December 16, 2014, heinous crime against humanity committed against the school children of the Army Public School, Peshawar, which, together with the Operation Zarb-e-Azb launched against terrorists,  served as a force-multiplier for forging such unity.

    Like the Spirit of 1965, there is thus a 'can-do' confidence that the enemy will be defeated, and this "we shall overcome" Spirit embodies Pakistani resilience, although, unlike India in '65, the enemy today is faceless, nameless and borderless.

    Only recently, on the occasion of the August 14 Independence Day, the Pakistani people felt a feel-good factor fed by optimism with faith in the future due to the successful campaign against terrorism, reinforcing a belief that the country can turn the corner by reversing wrongs of the past.

    A common thread in the revival of the Spirit of 1965 today is the China factor. Then, and now as well,  it is China, perceived as a reliable 'all weather' friend that stands by Pakistan in the hour of need. In 1965, China politically, diplomatically and militarily fully stood by Pakistan, even administering an ultimatum to India during the War as a gesture of solidarity.  50 years later, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is not only a game-changer but a strategic initiative that has the capability, Inshallah, to change the destiny of Pakistan, by uniting the people and provinces of Pakistan in the common quest for a better tomorrow.

    The pillar on which the Spirit of September '65 is being erected, is the unity of purpose demonstrated through civil-military harmony, translated into a national resolve to curb, contain and crush terrorism.  If the Parliament, the Government, civil society and media are demonstrating a clarity of commitment on the core question of terrorism and extremism as the No.1 challenge facing Pakistan, the catalyst has been the role of the Pakistan Army high command, notably the popular Army Chief,  General Raheel Sharif.  General Raheel has demonstrated a decisiveness conspicuous  by its absence among his predecessors, since he has not been distracted by either the quest for political power or a self-perpetuating agenda.  He has presided over a paradigm shift in the security establishment's policy that has bid goodbye to the outmoded notion of "strategic depth", seeking to bring about a shift in Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan, discarding the self-defeating policy that drew a distinction between "good and bad terrorists".  

    Given this context, as the nation celebrates the Defence of Pakistan Day, General Raheel Sharif's leadership of the Pakistan Army at this crucial moment of our history has been truly transformational. A "Soldier's Soldier" from a highly decorated military family of war heroes, he has restored the Pakistan Army's pride and professionalism. Through their heroic sacrifices and their valiant struggle to carry out the national mission of reclaiming the Quaid-i-Azam's Pakistan, within the framework of democracy, the rule of law and the Constitution, the Pakistan Army's officers and jawans are ensuring that the Spirit of September '65 is not some distant memory, but an enduring article of faith for the Pakistan of today and tomorrow.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021