Online Desk: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir warned that "a handful of terrorists" could not dictate the fate of the nation. Addressing the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, the army chief said that Pakistan remained firmly on the path of progress and development, and no one would be allowed to hinder its journey toward prosperity.

"Whoever stands in the way of Pakistan`s progress, we will remove that obstacle together. As long as the courageous people of this country stand with the Pakistan Army, no one can harm Pakistan," the army chief told the convention. He categorically stated that Pakistan Army could overcome any challenge with the unwavering support of its people. "Do Pakistan`s enemies really believe that a handful of terrorists can decide the fate of Pakistan,"

"Balochistan is the jewel of Pakistan`s destiny and the pride of our nation," he said. "We do not fear adversity. As Muslims and as Pakistanis, we have never bowed to hardship, nor will we ever do so." He said that Pakistan remained on the path to progress and development, adding that the question was not when Pakistan would progress, rather how fast it would progress. He added that Almighty Al-lah had blessed Pakistan with abundant resources, for which "we must remain thankful" at all times.

Praising the overseas Pakistanis, he said, "Those who talk about brain drain should understand that this is not brain drain, but rather brain gain. He also said that the overseas Pakistanis represented Paki-stan in the comity of the nation and their emotions had been quite praiseworthy for the country. General Asim Munir said that he was very impressed by the sentiments of the Pakistanis living abroad and "I assure you that our feelings for you are even stronger". He said: "You are not only the ambassador of Pakistan, but you are the light of Pakistan that shines on the entire world."

"You all have to tell the story of Pakistan to your next generation, the story on the basis of which our ancestors achieved Pakistan," he said. "You should always hold your head high, because you do not belong to any ordinary country; rather you are the representatives of a great and powerful country." General Asim Munir stated that the Pakistani nation had immense respect and honour for the martyrs. "Their sacrifices are eternal, and we will never let their legacy be forgotten," he added. "We want to take Pakistan to the place dreamed by Quaid-e-Azam," he said.

The army chief reiterated that "Kashmir was, is, and will always be Pakistan`s jugular vein".