The Arms Control and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised an in-house meeting to commemorate Pakistan Defence Day, bringing together members of the institute to reflect on the historic significance of the day and pay tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan’s armed forces.
The meeting examined the technological transformation of Pakistan’s national defence architecture and highlighted the country’s achievements in the conventional, nuclear and space domains.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Moin ul Haque, Director General ISSI, paid rich tributes to the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan and the martyrs who rendered ultimate sacrifices for the protection of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said Pakistan’s acquisition of nuclear capabilities restored strategic balance in South Asia and established full-spectrum deterrence as the bedrock of national security.
Ambassador Haque appreciated the presentations on the evolution of Pakistan’s air capabilities, indigenisation, nuclear forces and space programme. He emphasised that national defence extended beyond geographical borders and was a multi-dimensional enterprise encompassing conventional readiness, technological adaptation in emerging domains, national cohesion, economic strength and strategic clarity.
He said national defence also required personal sacrifices, unity, discipline and hard work across all segments of society, including researchers, diplomats, doctors and teachers, working hand-in-hand with the Armed Forces to strengthen the nation under Quaid-i-Azam’s enduring motto: Unity, Faith and Discipline.
Earlier, in his introductory remarks, Malik Qasim Mustafa, Director ACDC, said Defence Day stood as a testament to national resilience, unity and strategic resolve. He observed that the day was a reminder that Pakistan’s defence was not only the responsibility of the armed forces but a shared national responsibility.
Speaking on Pakistan’s space programme, Mahzaib Khan, Research Associate at ACDC, said space technology contributed not only to scientific research and national security but also to socioeconomic development. She noted that Pakistan’s space programme had gradually evolved from upper atmospheric research and sounding rocket launches in the 1960s to communication and remote sensing capabilities.
She also highlighted the significant role of international cooperation, particularly Pakistan’s partnership with China.
Muhammad Shahzaib Hassan, Research Assistant, traced the evolution of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) from its decisive performance during the 1965 war, where readiness, training and tactical leadership proved to be vital force multipliers, to today’s high-tech, networked combat ecosystem.
He said Pakistan’s airpower journey reflected a broader transition from imported platforms to modernisation, indigenisation and network-centric warfare.
Ramsha Ashraf presented an overview of Pakistan’s nuclear force architecture and strategic delivery capabilities. She said Pakistan maintained a credible and diversified nuclear deterrent anchored by established land- and air-based legs alongside an emerging sea-based leg. She added that it was rooted in the doctrine of Full Spectrum Deterrence, which aimed to deter aggression at tactical and strategic levels.
In his concluding address, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Governors ISSI, said Pakistan’s pursuit of robust conventional and nuclear capabilities had successfully safeguarded national sovereignty and prevented major wars.
He said the events of May 2025 decisively shattered dangerous illusions of a “new normal” for cross-border strikes, proving that any act of aggression would be met with resolute counteraction.
Ambassador Mahmood emphasised that peace could only be sustained from a position of strength and strategic equilibrium. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and result-oriented diplomacy, and commended the ACDC and ISSI research team for providing rigorous analysis to support strategic stability in the region.
