By Syed Yasin Hashmi TWA ______ “Pakistan's Armed Forces, the Army, the Air Force and the Navy, have always responded promptly to any foreign threat or a domestic challenge. In meeting these challenges, our brave and valiant soldiers have always lived up to the expectations of the nation,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States. “Even today, our Armed Forces and the Pakistani nation are paying a disproportionate and exorbitant price in blood and treasure to combat terrorism. More than 80,000 people including 10,000 security personnel have lost their previous lives in this war,” he said. “Our troops continue to bear the brunt of a new tide of terrorism which has killed hundreds since August 2021. We are determined to quell this threat,” he continued. Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, made these remarks in his keynote address on the occasion of commemoration of Pakistan Defense and Martyrs' Day, observed every year on 06 September to pay homage to those valiant sons of the soil who made history in defending the country during the 1965 war. The event was attended by a large number of diplomats, Defence, Military and Services Attaches, US officials and members of Pakistani community. Highlighting the huge price that the nation was paying in its ongoing fight against the menace of terrorism, Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh expressed the hope that international community would acknowledge the ultimate sacrifices and show solidarity with the people and armed forces of Pakistan. The Ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security through its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Since 1960, over 235,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in 48 missions worldwide, with 181 making the ultimate sacrifice, said the Ambassador. Discussing Pak-US defence ties, the Ambassador said that defense cooperation with the United States was a key pillar of it enduring partnership with the United States. Acknowledging the critical role of the United States in strengthening Pakistan's defense capabilities, he said that the two countries continue to strengthen military-to-military relationship with particular focus on counter- terrorism, security cooperation, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and military training. “Both sides are committed to nurturing this partnership further and further,” observed the Ambassador. “We will remain invested in our defence partnership with the United States as it remains a critical factor for peace and stability of our region,” he said. In closing, the Ambassador expressed solidarity with the people of Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK), calling on the international community to support their legitimate right to self-determination and raise their voices against the ongoing repression. Earlier, Defence Attache of Pakistan Brig Irfan Ali, in his remarks, highlighted professional skills and devotion of Pak Armed Forces. He paid a glowing tribute to all brave men and women of Armed Forces, paramilitary and law enforcement agencies who have laid down their lives suffered grievous bodily harm or mental psychological traumas in defense of their homeland. “We have perpetually encountered conflicts, insurgencies, internal security threats and natural disasters. We still continue to counter terrorism, campaigns against a complex of terrorist organizations emboldened by recent events in the neighborhoods, but make no mistake that we will prevail and root out this threat with the whole of nation approach,” Brig Irfan Ali said in his remarks.