By Roy Zia Ur Rahman ISLAMABAD, Sep 06 (APP):With colour pencils in his hands and a chart spread before him, Class-VI student Ibrahim has tried to tell the story of September 6 in his own simple way — how the sacrifices of the past gave Pakistan a safe and peaceful today. Ibrahim divided his chart into two parts. On one side, he drew scenes from the 1965 war, showing soldiers, …
They gave their today for our tomorrow: Children remember Heroes of September 6
By Roy Zia Ur Rahman
ISLAMABAD, Sep 06 (APP):With colour pencils in his hands and a chart spread before him, Class-VI student Ibrahim has tried to tell the story of September 6 in his own simple way — how the sacrifices of the past gave Pakistan a safe and peaceful today.
Ibrahim divided his chart into two parts. On one side, he drew scenes from the 1965 war, showing soldiers, tanks, fighter jets and the defence of the motherland. On the other side, he showed a peaceful and developing Pakistan with roads, modern buildings, transport and happy families.
Minar-e-Pakistan stands in the middle of his chart, linking the struggle for Pakistan with its defence and progress.
For Ibrahim, the message is simple: the peace and freedom children enjoy today came at a price paid by the country’s heroes.
Our soldiers gave their lives for us. We will also protect our country and will always remember those who made sacrifices for Pakistan, Ibrahim told APP while showing his chart.
His drawing carries a simple Defence Day message written at the top:
“Hum ne apna aaj aap ke kal par qurban kar diya.”
At the bottom, another verse reflects the spirit of courage:
“Baatil se darne walay, ae aasman nahi hum,
Sau baar kar chuka hai tu imtehan hamara.”
The chart also carries a drawing of Pakistan Air Force hero M.M. Alam, along with fighter jets, highlighting the important role played by the PAF during the 1965 war.
Like Ibrahim, many schoolchildren learned about September 6 from their teachers ahead of Defence Day. They asked questions about the 1965 war, the soldiers who fought on the borders and the role of the Pakistan Air Force in defending the country.
Teachers told them how Pakistani forces stood against the enemy when war reached the country’s borders in September 1965.
Class-VI student Zainab also shared her feelings through drawings.
She drew fighter jets, the national flag and the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In another drawing, she showed a Pakistani soldier standing guard under the national flag.
She also wrote a simple message on her chart:
“Shaheedon ke lahu ne watan sanwara,
Pakistan humein jaan se pyara.”
The sons of mothers protected this country. We will remember them, Zainab told APP with a smile as she proudly showed her drawings.
She said the enemy attacked Pakistan in 1965, but Pakistani soldiers bravely defended the country.
For children like Ibrahim and Zainab, the details of the war may belong to history books, but its message remains easy to understand — Pakistan’s soldiers fought so that future generations could live in a free and safe country.
On September 6, 1965, Indian forces crossed the international border in the Lahore sector, while major fighting also took place in the Sialkot sector. Pakistan’s armed forces fought back, while people across the country stood behind them.
The Pakistan Air Force also played an important role during the war, and its pilots became symbols of courage for the nation.
More than six decades later, schoolchildren are learning about those sacrifices not only from books but also through classroom discussions, drawings and Defence Day charts.
For Asifa, a mother, teaching children about these sacrifices is as important as celebrating the day itself.
This land was achieved after great sacrifices and our soldiers have continued to protect it with their lives, Asifa told APP.
We, the mothers want our children to live in peace, study and build a better Pakistan. But we also teach them to love their country and, if the time ever comes, to be ready to make sacrifices for its defence, she said.
Asifa said children should know why September 6 is remembered and why the nation honours its martyrs and war heroes.
The message can also be seen clearly in Ibrahim’s chart.
One side shows war — soldiers, tanks and fighter jets. The other shows peace, development and happy families.
The two sides tell one story.
The soldiers who fought yesterday protected the Pakistan in which Ibrahim and Zainab are sitting today, with colour pencils in their hands, drawing the Pakistan they want to see tomorrow.
