Defence Day celebrated with renewed pledge to safeguard country

ISLAMABAD, Sep 6 (APP):The entire nation along with the armed forces Thursday celebrated the Defence Day of Pakistan with a renewed pledge to continue safeguarding the geographical, ideological boundaries and territorial integrity of the motherland against all threats.
The day dawned with special prayers in the mosques for the well-being and prosperity of the country. `Fateha’ and Quran Khawani were held for all those, who laid their lives in line to serve the nation.
Special events held to mark the day. Prime Minister Imran Khan was the chief guest at Defence and Martyr’s Day ceremony held at the General Headquarters (GHQ). Opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Parliamentarians and other prominent personalities attended the unique function.
Wreath laying ceremonies held at the mausoleums of the recipients of Nishan-e-Haider (the highest gallantry award), which was attended by the senior officials of the respective areas across the country.
Several ceremonies were held to pay homage to the Pakistan Army soldiers, officials and other law enforcement agencies personnel, who laid their lives in the battlefield. Main ceremonies were held at all district headquarters in which families of martyrs were invited to commemorate sacrifices of the martyrs.
Army Heritage Foundation, Rawalpindi arranged a function at Ayub Park where students of Cadets Foundation school and Springfield schools paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Pakistan Army by singing national songs, presenting tableau’s and speeches.
To mark the day with national enthusiasm, different programmes were chalked out by the Armed Forces of Pakistan in Peshawar. The major function was held at Karnal Sher Khan Stadium where different types of weapons, warplanes and helicopters’ models etc. were displayed for students and general public.
A simple but impressive ceremony was organized inside the Peshawar Base and Chief Minister KP Mahmud Khan, AVM Sarfaraz Khan, Air Officer Commanding Northern Air Command, Base Commander Peshawar Base Air Commodore Muhammad Qaiser Janjua, High Military and Civil Officials, parents and relatives of the martyrs and ghazis, good number of school children and people from different walk of life were present.
Another major function was held at Swabi where a wreath was laid on the grave of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider). A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army was present salute to the celebrated hero of Kargil war.
The day was also celebrated in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Special ceremonies were held at various places in AJK, including all the ten district headquarters, to pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1965 Indo-Pak war as well as other military and civilian martyrs for giving the supreme sacrifices of their valuable lives to safeguard the country.
Lahore Garrison Commander Major General Muhammad Amir visited Mazar-e-Iqbal. He laid the wreath on the grave of Allama Iqbal, offered Fateha and recorded his impression in the visitor’s book.
Pak Army officers and jawans also visited Miani Sahib graveyard where they offered Fateha at the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed.
To mark the day, a prestigious ceremony was held at Fortress Stadium, which was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Amir Riaz.
The change of guard ceremony took place at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi in the morning. A PAF contingent assumed guard duty. The representatives of three armed services also visited the Mazar of the Father of the Nation, laid wreaths and offer Fateha.
In Balochistan, the main ceremony was held at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada in Quetta Cantt. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Jam Kamal Khan and Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa laid a wreath on the Yadgar-i-Shuhada. A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the grave of Nawabzada Mir Siraj Raisani Shaheed in his ancestral village Killi Kanak in Mastung district.
The media carried the messages of President, Prime Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly in relation to the significance of the Day.
Special talk shows were held on the state-run and private television channels and radio stations across the country.
It was on this day in 1965 that the Indian forces crossed international border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan, but ever-vigilant armed forces, solidly backed by the nation, foiled enemy’s nefarious designs.
The Armed Forces of Pakistan commemorate 6th September to pay tribute to `Shuhada’ and Ghazis for their supreme sacrifices and gallantry acts.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army, had released a video song in commemoration of defence services by Pakistan Armed Forces. The promo shared at the official handle of DG ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor shows combined footage of the country’s all forces putting their lives on the line to protect the nation, whereas in the background a song filled with gusto and patriotism can be heard.
Roads, intersections and other public places all over the country had been decorated with banners and steamers, bearing pictures of martyrs of Pakistan Armed Forces under the theme of ‘Hamain Payar Hay Pakistan Se’. Similarly, Pakistan Railways has decorated its trains giving the message that Pakistani nation loves its armed forces and law enforcement agencies.
Radio Pakistan aired special programmes based on interviews of martyrs of Pakistan and paid homage to the heroes of the nation who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.