KARACHI: Pakistan Wednesday celebrated ‘National Defence Day’ with reverence and effervescent spirit to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Shuhada, Ghazis and national heroes who stood against the enemy with unparalleled display of unity and tenacity during the 1965 Indo-Pak War.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute at the Federal Capital and a 21-gun salute at all provincial capitals.

Spe­cial prayers were offered after Fajr in mosques for the progress and prosperi­ty of the country and inde­pendence of Illegally Occu­pied Jammu and Kashmir from the cruel clutches of India.

Fateha and Quran Khawani were also held for the martyrs.

President Dr Arif Alvi and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar have said that amidst Pakistan facing mul­tiple security challenges of extremism, terrorism and external aggression, the entire nation stood united alongside the Pakistan De­fence Forces to thwart evil designs against the integ­rity and prosperity of the country, according to local news agencies.

Chair­man Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs and Armed Forces of Paki­stan have paid rich tribute to the martyrs, their fam­ilies and war veterans on the 58th Defence and Mar­tyrs’ Day.

It was on this day in 1965 that the Indian forces had crossed in­ternational border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan, but our valiant Armed Forces backed by the entire nation foiled nefarious de­signs of the enemy.

The day displayed the spirit of unity and sacrifice in the defence of our motherland and glorifies the indomitable bond of the Nation and the Armed Forces to stand together in the face of adversity and belligerence.

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