Days remaining to
Independence Day -
August 14

Address to the Establishment of H.M.P.S. 'Dilawar': January 23, 1948

Gentlemen!

The First World War of 1914-18 was fought to end war. Its horrors quickened the conscience of the world and set statesmen thinking to devise ways and means of outlawing war. This led to the birth of the League of Nations and the idea of collective security, but the League of Nations proved only a pious hope. It failed to avert World War II. The destruction caused by the First World War pales into insignificance as compared to the devastation and havoc resulting from the last World War and now with the discovery of the Atom Bomb, one shudders to think of the pattern of future wars. The war-weary humanity is watching with fear and hope the evolution of the United Nations Organisation for its ability to successfully deal with the causes of war and threats to world peace will depend on the salvation of mankind and the future of civilisation. Pakistan which has been recently admitted to the United Nations Organisation will do everything in its power to strengthen the Organisation and help in the achievement of the ideals which have been set up as its goal. While giving the fullest support to the principles of the United Nations Charter we cannot afford to neglect our defences. However strong the United Nations Organisation might be, the primary responsibility for the defence of our country will rest with us and Pakistan must be prepared for all eventualities and dangers. The weak and the defenceless in this imperfect world invite aggression from others. The best way in which we can serve the cause of peace is by removing temptation from the path of those who think that we are weak, and therefore, they can bully or attack us. That temptation can only be removed if we make ourselves so strong that nobody dare entertain any aggressive designs against us. Pakistan is still in its infancy and so is its Navy and other branches of the Armed Forces. But this infant means to grow up and God willing will grow up much sooner than many people thinks.

Everyone of you has an important role to play in strengthening the defence of the country and your watchwords should be faith, discipline and self-sacrifice. You will have to make up for the smallness of your size by your courage and selfless devotion to duty for it is not life that matters but the courage, fortitude and determination you bring to it.

I see some of you, who constitute the bodyguard at present provided at the Governor-General's residence, practically everyday. Today I see you in much larger numbers and I am greatly impressed by your bearing and turn-out. You must remember that your Headquarters - Karachi, the gateway to Western Pakistan, besides being the port of call of ships of other nations, is also on the air route from the West to the East. People from all over the globe pass through Karachi and the eyes of the world are on you. I trust that, by your behaviour and deportment you will never let Pakistan down, but would keep up the best traditions of the service and maintain high the honour and prestige of Pakistan as one of the greatest nations of the world.