RAWALPINDI—Defence Day of Pakistan was observed with enthusiasm and patriotism through out the country on Tuesday.
The day of 6 September carries a significant place in our history when the entire nation along with their valiant armed forces defended the motherland forty years ago against an aggressor which was much superior to them in numbers.
The Day dawned with prayers in all mosques of the country including unit mosques in all garrisons. Prayers were offered for the prosperity and well being of the country. Fateha was offered for the Shuhada who rendered supreme sacrifices while defending the motherland. Messages of the Services Chiefs will be read out to troops in Special Darbars in all units and establishments of Army, Navy and Pakistan Air Force.
To pay homage and memories the sacrifices of our valiant Shuhada and Ghazies wreath laying ceremonies were held at the recipients of Nishane-e-Haider, Captain Sarwar Shaheed,Major Tufail Shaheed,Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed,Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed,Sawar Muhammad Hussain, Lance Naik Mehfooz Shaheed, Shaheed,Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, Captain Karnal Sher Shaheed and Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed.
Pakistan Television and other private television channels aired special programs which include Armed Forces Documentaries, Askari Songs, Plays, Talk Shows and other programmes of interest for the viewers.
Karachi Bureau adds: The Defence Day of Pakistan was observed with solemnity and reverence in Ghizer, Northern Areas like other parts of the country here on Tuesday.
The programmes started with special prayers in all mosques of Northern Areas for the solidarity, prosperity and unity of the country and for the early liberation of Indian held Kashmir.
Rich tributes were paid to Pakistan Armed Forces and the people of the area on their heroic courage demonstrated during the September 1965 war.
Speaking at a function held in Hinduwer Yasin at the Mazar of Lalik Jan (Shaheed) Nishan-e- Haider in connection with the Defence Day of Pakistan Force Commander Northern Areas Major General Mohsin Kamal paid rich tributes to Lalik Jan (Shaheed), and the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the defence of their motherland. He said Lalik Jan wrote history by sacrificing his precious live in defence of the country.
He said the people of Northern Areas are making invaluable contributions in the national defence as well as other sectors of life. The Force Commander NAs urged the youth to acquire modern knowledge so that they could face the challanges of future.
He also offered “Fateha” and laid floral wreath at the Mazar of Lalik Jan.
Later he also met with students of Lalik Jan (Shaheed) Nishan-e-Haider Public School and assured that ten teachers would be appointed in the institution besides construction of the building.
He commended the services of Ghulam Mohammad, Member Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) for taking keen interest in the development of the area.
Later he met with the family members of Lalik Jan (Shaheed) Nishan-e-Haider and Ghulam Mohammad member NALC and presented gifts.
Pakistan Navy (PN) observed the Defence Day of Pakistan with traditional solemnity to pay tributes to supreme sacrifices of its Shuhda who laid down their lives in the defence of the motherland.
The day reminds us of dauntless naval operations during 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars when PN flotilla, despite resource constraints, routed the enemy and wrested the control of North Arabian Sea, said the news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations, Naval Headquarters, here on Tuesday.
The day-long celebrations began with special prayers for preservation of integrity and sovereignty of the country and Quran Khawani for Shuhda at Naval mosques.
Flag hoisting ceremonies were held and Chief of the Naval Staff Order of the Day was read out at all PN ships / establishments which was followed by the addresses to the officers and men by respective Commanding Officers who highlighted significance of the day and shed light on heroic deeds of Shuhda and acts of gallantry of Ghazis during the war.
Wreath laying ceremonies were held at the memorials of PN Shuhda at Pakistan Navy Dockyard and Fateha was offered for eternal peace of the departed souls.
Wreath was also laid at the Mazar-e-Quaid by the representatives of three services.
An intercollegiate bilingual declamation competition was organized at Pakistan Naval Academy, PNS RAHBAR, which was contested by the students of various colleges from all over the city.
The participants eloquently spotlighted the significance of the day and paid tribute to the valiant soldiers. Similar contests were also held at Bahria Colleges at Karachi and Islamabad.
Pakistan Maritime Museum remained open to visitors from all walks of life. A large number of people kept visiting the museum throughout the day and witnessed with keen interest the historic aspects of Pakistan.
Melodious tunes of famous national songs were also played at the museum.