ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Thursday paid heartfelt tribute to the martyrs and veterans of the Pakistan Army, lauding their ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the nation.
“Shuhada and Ghazis are our enduring pride. Their honour is a sacred trust upon every Pakistani,” Gen Munir said during an investiture ceremony held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officials and families of award recipients. The COAS conferred military honours, including Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Basalat, on officers and soldiers in recognition of their exceptional bravery and service. Medals awarded posthumously were received with deep respect by the families of the fallen.
“The peace and liberty we enjoy today are the result of sacrifices made by these valiant sons of the soil,” the army chief added, also commending the resilience of the martyrs’ families.
Gen Munir praised the Pakistan Army and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for their steadfast efforts in neutralizing terrorist threats and eliminating high-value targets amid a surge in militant violence.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remain the epicentres of terrorism, accounting for 98% of violence-related fatalities, according to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The first quarter of 2025 alone saw 897 fatalities and 542 injuries across 354 incidents of violence — a 13% drop from the previous quarter but still deeply concerning.
Despite the challenges, the COAS reassured the nation of the military’s unwavering resolve. “Even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan or Pakistan,” he had asserted earlier this week at a convention of overseas Pakistanis.
Of the 1,439 casualties reported in Q1 2025, 495 were outlaws. Civilian and security forces accounted for 402 fatalities — nearly 19% fewer than the militants — underscoring the high human cost borne by those defending the country.
