Nation owes debt of gratitude to martyrs, says Kamal

Chief minister pays rich tributes to fallen heroes of the 1965 war

QUETTA: The 53rd Defence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with traditional zeal at the military installation of Quetta and other districts of Balochistan on Thursday.

The day dawned with the recitation of Holy Quran and special prayers were offered for prosperity and stability of the country at the respective mosques. Fateha and Quran Khwani were also held for the martyrs.



According to reports, the Defence Day was observed in Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Khuzdar, Kalat, Kharan, Chaghi, Qilla Abdullah, Harnai, Sibi, Loralai, Pishin, Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, and other parts of the province.

On the occasion, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has said the nation is in debt of martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its people.

“Today, we are living in an independent environment due to the countless sacrifices rendered by the officers of our armed forces,” said the chief minister while addressing a ceremony held in connection with the 53^rd Defence Day at the Air Force Base in Samungli, Quetta.



Provincial ministers Naseebullah Mari, Arif Jan Muhammad Hasani, Zahoor Buledi, Zia Langove, Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai, MPA Gohram Bugti, IG FC Balochistan Major General Nadeem Anjum, IG Police Mohsin Butt and other officials accompanied the CM.
CM Kamal paid homage to the country’s martyrs.

“We are proud of our soldiers, who embraced martyrdom while battling the enemy; therefore, today the whole country is paying homage to the martyrs and their families,” Kamal said, adding that during the 1965 war the Pakistan Air Force fought bravely.

He urged the people to inform children about the sacrifices of “our soldiers who embraced martyrdom in order to gift a peaceful and stronger Pakistan to us”.



Stressing on learning from previous mistakes, the Balochistan CM said, “Today we have to rethink what we have lost since the 1965 war and reiterate the resolve to work for a prosperous Pakistan.”

Kamal vowed to launch decisive action against terrorists disrupting peace in Balochistan, saying the provincial government would never let anyone disrupt peace in the province.

He said, “The provincial government will take steps for dialogues only with those groups that seek to join the mainstream, while those who won’t will be crushed.

“Our brave armed forces have sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism and for restoring peace in Balochistan. Now the responsibility of development lies on the shoulders of the federal and provincial governments.”

Kamal said the society was also responsible for discouraging elements that spread ethnic and sectarian hatred in “our province”.

Commander Air Commodore Ghazanfar Ali also addressed the Defence Day ceremony while children from various schools performed different shows and on the National Anthem in order to pay tribute to the martyrs.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan CM met the family members of martyred journalists at the Quetta Press Club.



He paid rich tributes to the martyrs and assured the families of full support of the provincial government.

“For the last 15 years, Pakistan has been passing through a harsh phase which has disturbed routine life in many cities of Pakistan, particularly Balochistan. Despite all challenges, our brave soldiers along with all the people are ready to fight terrorists,” said Kamal.

He said the new Balochistan government “is keen on revamping the plight of the martyrs’ families and provide them all basic facilities”.