Zardari, Gilani vow to eliminate militancy

Pakistan's top leadership today pledged to overcome security challenges confronting the country and to continue the drive against militants till all those challenging the "foundations of the state" are eliminated.

Pakistan's top leadership on Saturday pledged to overcome security challenges confronting the country and to continue the drive against militants till all those challenging the "foundations of the state" are eliminated.

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In separate messages issued ahead of the Defence Day of Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the government is determined to overcome the challenge posed by militancy.

Pakistan is facing a new kind of security threat from militants and extremists and their designs against the country's integrity will be foiled, Zardari said. "We will eliminate the militants and those who have challenged the foundations of the state. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it," he said.

Defence Day is observed on September 6 every year to commemorate persons who sacrificed their lives during Pakistan's war with India in 1965. In his message, Gilani said the people need to exhibit the "spirit of sacrifice" of the 1965 war to confront the menace of terrorism.

"We will use all our capabilities to its optimum and overcome the challenges which we face today," he said.

Gilani said the law enforcing agencies had also provided invaluable services for rehabilitating people displaced by the operations against militants.