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Defense Day of Pakistan: Nation prepares to pay rich tributes to martyrs, Ghazis

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The Defence Day of Pakistan is celebrated each year on September 06 with patriotic zeal and zest as National Day to commemorate and pay rich tributes to martyrs and Ghazis of the armed forces and heroes from all walks of life that rendered their lives while safeguarding the motherland against the aggression of Indian forces during the war of 1965. The whole world had witnessed the passion and unprecedented sacrifices of the Pakistani nation which it demonstrated in standing firm with its armed forces throughout the challenging times.

Commemorating the heroes of the war who sacrificed their lives for their motherland and fought the enemy with valor, this year’s theme for Defence Day is “Our martyrs our pride, a salute to all the relatives belonging to ghazis and shaheeds”.

Photo Courtesy: DAWN

The day began with a 31-gun salute was in Islamabad and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals reported Radio Pakistan. A change of guard ceremony was held at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad in the morning to pay tribute to the armed forces.

An investiture ceremony of change of guard was also held at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi. Air Marshal Qaisar Khan Janjua was the chief guest on the occasion, and the cadets of Pakistan Air Force took over guard duties at the mausoleum.

Photo Courtesy: DAWN

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message recalled the sacrifices of the country’s soldiers, officers, pilots, and sailors who fought bravely in the 1965 war and defended the frontiers by offering supreme sacrifice.

He said, “India today stands exposed before the world community for its bid to hamper peace in the region, especially with reference to Pakistan.”

The Prime Minister said that due to the Pakistan government’s proactive diplomacy, the international community was now convinced that the persecution of minorities across India and atrocities unleashed on innocent Kashmiris in the occupied valley must end forthwith.

He added that India will have to give the Kashmiris their due right to self-determination under the UN Security Council resolutions.

President Dr. Arif Alvi said in his message that Pakistan was fully cognizant of developments in its neighborhood and committed to securing peace. He said Pakistan was “prepared to thwart any plot hatched to hamper peace” in the region. The president commended the country’s security agencies for their relentless efforts towards exposing the enemy carrying out covert activities.

He stated that Pakistan would never back away from its principled stand on the Kashmir issue.

 

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also saluted the armed forces, stating that “the bravery, courage, and sacrifice of these brave soldiers is the guarantee of survival and security of Pakistan.”

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Farrukh Habib Monday paid tribute to the soldiers of the 1965 war who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the motherland. In a tweet on the occasion of Defense Day, he said on September 6, 1965, history was made by giving a befitting response to the enemy’s aggression. The entire nation is proud of its forces for making the country’s defense system invincible, he added.

This post was originally published on VOSA.