Obscurantism threat to progress: President

KAKUL—President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday underscored that obscurantist and anti-progress forces have to be defeated militarily and socially as they pose the gravest threat to Pakistan’s progress and development. “Our society today stands disturbed due to the narrow-minded and short-sighted attitudes of these few who have taken upon themselves to impose their will on the moderate majority.
“Such anti-progress, obscurantist forces have to be defeated militarily and socially,” the President said while addressing the passing out parade of 112 PMA Long Course and Integrated Course-31. President Musharraf observed that the phenomenon of terrorism and extremism is pervasive. “Pakistan is a victim of both,” he said, adding that the present international and regional environment has opened a new dimension of responsibility on the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
He pointed out that obscurantists “pose the gravest threat and obstacle to Pakistan’s progress and development.” “In confronting these elements you have to guard against their vicious propaganda of making this battle look like one against Islam. The conflict involved is not one of religion. It simply is one of progress, emancipation versus backwardness and dogmatism,” he underlined.
Continuing, the President said, “We have to create a Pakistan of Iqbal and Quaid and not one of religious bigotry.” To the newly commissioned officers, the President said they must also remember that Pakistan is their destiny, as much as they are its destiny, and loyalty to it demands that they should be prepared to sacrifice every and anything in its interest.
“Always Keep Pakistan’s interest foremost; Pakistan must always come first.” Pakistan, he declared, is on its way forward, there is no looking back now, whether it is the field of economy, human development or military strength and prowess. “We have to carve a niche for ourselves in the comity of nations We have to play a role in the emancipation of the Muslim Ummah.” He said this is Pakistan’s destiny and “you have to uphold it.” Pakistan has mounted its military strategy on the premise of deterrence both in the conventional and unconventional spheres, he said. “The strategy is in place and we will ensure that our preparation gainst aggression keeps pace with it.” The President said Pakistan has embarked on a programme of modernization of all its services and its strategic forces and results are for everyone to see, the latest being the success of our indigenous cruise “The Armed Forces of Pakistan will, Inshallah always be maintained in a state to be able to discharge their onerous responsibility effectively.”
The President congratulated the newly commissioned officers and expressed the hope that they would fulfil the organization’s grand traditions of professionalism, sacrifice, dedication to duty and patriotism. He commended the Pakistan Military Academy and its faculty for maintaining high standards and said it is respected the world over for its standards and its alumni.
“Training at the Pakistan Military Academy has inculcated in you the requisite physical, intellectual and moral attributes which are essential for delivering your onerous responsibilities as leaders of men,” he said. Earlier on arrival at the parade ground, the President was presented presidential salute. He reviewed the parade and distributed medals  among outstanding cadets. The coveted Sword of Honour was awarded to Academy’s senior under officer Mearaj Muhammad, President’s Gold Medal was bestowed on Battalian Senior Under Officer Hamza Hassan while the Commandant’s Cane was awarded to Course Under Officer Faisal Nawaz. Hamza Company was declared the overall best company of the session.—ISPR