There is nothing more valuable than human life. Everyone clings to existence and acts to preserve it; yet some, by choice and conviction, willingly sacrifice their lives for the sake of God and the defence of their homeland. Such individuals are martyrs, and their sacrifice commands the highest honour. Allah regards them as among the living, and in the Hereafter their rank is neither small nor overlooked. The family of a martyr holds a unique and respected place in the community and the nation.
The martyr fulfils his commitment to the Divine, leaving the living with a moral responsibility: to honour that sacrifice through action, not mere words. If we fail in that duty, we betray the blood that soaked our soil. Recent events remind us: our brave forces can defeat an aggressor in a day. Yet when an enemy strikes secretly — like thieves in the night — it is the nation’s shared duty to take civic, administrative and moral steps to prevent such acts while upholding justice.
If this is our homeland, we — together with our armed forces — are its protectors and guardians. As they sacrifice their present for our future, it is our duty to ensure those sacrifices are not in vain.
Following battlefield setbacks, India has resorted, the piece asserts, to overt acts of terrorism through facilitators in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; evidence of these actions has been presented globally. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024, 799 terrorists were eliminated — an average of one every 2.1 days — while 577 Pakistanis were martyred: 272 army personnel, 140 police personnel and 165 civilians. In 2025 so far, our forces have carried out over 10,115 intelligence-based operations, nearly 40 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in 917 terrorists eliminated — averaging one every 3.5 days — and 516 lives lost, including 311 soldiers, 173 police personnel and 32 civilians. Each figure stands for courage, sacrifice and the nation’s unbowed spirit.
Terrorism in our homeland stems from identifiable causes and policies that require immediate action. The primary driver is the failure to fully implement the National Action Plan. When measures remain unexecuted, harmful elements exploit that vacuum.
There is evidence, the essay notes, that Afghanistan’s territory has been used by groups hostile to Pakistan. Pakistan has urged Afghanistan to prevent its soil from becoming a sanctuary for non-state actors. Pakistan seeks peace, stability and mutual respect as a brotherly Islamic nation. Yet non-state actors present a global threat; they have no allegiance to religion, ethnicity or custom and their sole purpose is spreading violence.
The flow of weapons into Afghanistan — including some of American origin — poses a regional threat. These arms can be used anywhere, magnifying danger. The security of Pakistani citizens cannot be compromised for any other country. National sovereignty and citizen safety are non-negotiable. The Pakistani nation stands united and resolute, like a steel wall, against terrorists and their facilitators; the sacrifices of our martyrs will not be in vain. The nation deeply respects and salutes their bravery.
On this occasion, the nation must resolve not to let the blood of our protectors be wasted because of institutional failure. If terrorism is to be eradicated, the criminal nexus must be broken. Terrorists and their facilitators — whoever they are and whatever their position — will be confronted.
Dialogue is always the preferred path to resolution; but when the enemy and its allies reject peace, it becomes necessary to respond. Our ancestors taught that if peaceful dialogue is refused, war becomes the alternative. Those who stand for truth and justice are ultimately granted victory.
These terrorists, the piece continues, violate sacred tribal traditions by using children and women as shields, turning the innocent into instruments of savagery. Such methods expose their moral bankruptcy and incompatibility with honour or humanity. Therefore, every lawful and necessary political, social and military measure must be pursued to uproot this evil.
To honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the nation must unite beyond political divides to rebuild institutions, execute plans and assume collective responsibility. Martyrdom ennobles the dead and summons the living to duty. Let us answer with courage, wisdom and unshakeable resolve so that the sacrifices of our sons are honoured by a Pakistan that is secure, just and free.
About the Writer
Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal serves as the Director General (Research) at the National Assembly Secretariat, Parliament House, Islamabad. With extensive experience in legislative research and policy analysis, he brings a deep understanding of South Asian politics, Indo-Pak relations, and information warfare. His writings critically examine regional conflicts, propaganda narratives, and leadership dynamics, with a focus on promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in South Asia.
