ISLAMABAD, Sep 05 (APP):Heal Pakistan, in collaboration with the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), organised a Defence Day symposium in Islamabad on Saturday to honour the sacrifices, valour and victories of Pakistan’s armed forces, bringing together young scholars, intellectuals, legal experts and social activists to pay tribute to the nation’s martyrs and discuss the strategic and civic dimensions of national security. Held under the theme “Sacrifice, Valour and Victory: …
Defence Day symposium pays tribute to armed forces’ sacrifice
ISLAMABAD, Sep 05 (APP):Heal Pakistan, in collaboration with the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), organised a Defence Day symposium in Islamabad on Saturday to honour the sacrifices, valour and victories of Pakistan’s armed forces, bringing together young scholars, intellectuals, legal experts and social activists to pay tribute to the nation’s martyrs and discuss the strategic and civic dimensions of national security.
Held under the theme “Sacrifice, Valour and Victory: Our Armed Forces, Our Pride,” the speech cum presentation event served as a solemn tribute to the fallen heroes and their families while providing a wider discourse on Pakistan’s security imperatives and the challenges posed by a complex regional environment.
The proceedings were presided over by KIIR Chairman Altaf Hussain Wani, who highlighted the enduring bond between the people of Pakistan and their defenders.
He particularly underscored the significance of Kashmir and its unresolved status in the country’s broader national security discourse.
The symposium drew a large gathering of young scholars from various universities, with speakers stressing the importance of passing the legacy of patriotism, sacrifice and resilience to the younger generation.
Executive Director of the International Centre for Conflict and Peace (ICCP) Dr Zahid Harris examined the strategic importance of a strong military, particularly in view of Pakistan’s position as a nuclear armed state navigating intricate regional security dynamics.
Bringing a constitutional and civic perspective to the discussion, Advocate Malik Asif Awan emphasised the state’s constitutional and moral responsibility to defend the country’s borders and protect its citizens.
Social activists Allah Nawaz and Habib ur Rehman highlighted the humanitarian dimension of the armed forces’ role, recalling their contribution during national calamities and their sacrifices and resolve during the War on Terror.
A major segment of the symposium featured a comprehensive presentation tracing the history and evolution of Pakistan’s armed forces.
It recalled the “baptism by fire” of 1965 and the exceptional bravery of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti, who was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, before turning to the armed forces’ more recent counterterrorism campaigns.
The presentation also highlighted Operation Zarb-e-Azb and referred to the strategic foresight associated with “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” placing both within a broader account of the country’s military preparedness and strategic challenges.
Speakers said the armed forces remained the nation’s shield, but stressed that the strength of that shield ultimately depended on national unity, economic stability and the removal of internal divisions.
They urged the young scholars to view patriotism beyond the traditional battlefield, calling on them to take up the “battles of peace” against poverty, illiteracy and inflation with the same determination displayed by soldiers defending the country’s frontiers.
The symposium concluded with a solemn salute to Pakistan’s martyrs and their families.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of national cohesion, resilience and collective responsibility while paying tribute to the heroes whose sacrifices, the speakers said, continued to inspire the nation.
The event reaffirmed the message embodied in the national defence ethos: “Iman, Taqwa, Jihad fi Sabilillah.”
