Pakistan’s Defense is Impregnable, Diplomacy Indispensable
By Elaine Pasquini
Washington, DC: On Pakistan Defense and Martyrs’ Day on September 4, 2026, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, honored his country’s armed forces – the Army, Air Force and Navy – and law enforcement agencies for their invaluable sacrifices in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The important ceremony brought together a distinguished gathering of foreign diplomats, military and service attachés, US government officials and members of the Pakistani-American community.
Describing Defense Day as a poignant reminder of the timeless sacrifices made in the service of the country, Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s pride in the professionalism, courage and dedication of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. Beyond national defense, the ambassador emphasized Pakistan’s active contributions to international peace and security through active diplomacy.
“The world over the last 16 months has seen the best of Pakistan’s defense and the best of Pakistan’s first line of defense, which is diplomacy,” Ambassador Sheikh said. “While we have proven ourselves in defense terms as a factor of stability, through our diplomacy, we have proven ourselves as a stabilizing factor for the region and the whole wide world.”
Turning to Pakistan-US relations, Ambassador Sheikh highlighted the longstanding and consequential nature of the bilateral partnership. He described multifaceted economic cooperation as an increasingly important pillar of the relationship while acknowledging the constructive role played by the United States in strengthening Pakistan’s security capabilities.
The ambassador noted that bilateral cooperation has evolved across a broad spectrum of areas, including economic engagement, counterterrorism, security cooperation, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and joint military training.
“Each time our two nations have come together—from the days of the Cold War and the Afghan wars to the fight against terrorism—our cooperation has been consequential not just in the bilateral but the global context,” he said.
Ambassador Sheikh also recognized the Pakistani-American diaspora as a vital bridge between the two countries, urging community members to play an active role in strengthening Pakistan’s economic development.
“Now that our defense has been proven impregnable and our diplomacy has been proven indispensable, we need to make our economy independent,” Ambassador Sheikh stressed. “That is the next battle. We must define, drive, and defend our economic independence through collaborations, through cooperation, and through the vital role played by our diaspora.”
In remarks addressing the attendees, the Defense Attaché Brigadier Muhammad Abu Bakar paid tribute to the men and women of the armed forces, highlighting their professionalism and operational readiness. He emphasized that Defense Day serves as an enduring reminder of the nation’s shared commitment to protecting its sovereignty.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the continued peace, progress, and prosperity of Pakistan and expression of gratitude from Ambassador Sheikh to the guests for their participation.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
