Lahore police celebrated the 56th Defence Day to pay homage to the sacrifices rendered by the martyrs and Ghazis of the September 1965 war for the defence of the motherland.
Programmes to mark the occasion were arranged across the city by different organisations, including Lahore Arts Council.
A ceremony was held at District Police Lines Qila Gujjar Singh, where Capital City Police Officer Ghulam Mahmood Dogar and other senior officers paid homage to the martyrs, laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and prayed for the martyrs of the 1965 war as well as the police.
Special prayers were also offered on the occasion for the development and prosperity of the country. DIG Operations Captain (retd) Suhail Chaudhary, CTO Muntazir Mehdi, SSP Operations Waqar Shoaib Qureshi and all divisional SSPs along with officials of different units of Lahore police attended the ceremony.
Talking to the media on the occasion, Dogar said, ‘The Defence Day provides us the opportunity to pay tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for the country, especially the martyrs of the 1965 war. This day also signifies firm resolve of the entire nation to defend the territorial and ideological boundaries of the country and to meet the challenges of terrorism, extremism and external aggression.”
He said Pakistan's valiant civil and armed forces along with the entire nation stood united during the September 1965 war against the enemy who threatened the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.
Read AJK observes Defence and Martyrs Day
Dogar said Lahore police had also sacrificed hundreds of precious lives for the safety of the country and protection of the lives and property of the citizens. “On this day, we resolve that we shall defend our country at all cost as the entire nation along with the police stands alongside the armed forces to thwart evil designs of the enemy against the integrity and prosperity of the country.”
Meanwhile, the DIG operations said the police had made strict security arrangements on the day. He said the police had deployed four SPs, 14 DSPs, 16 SHOs, 41 uppers subordinates and over 500 other officials, including women personnel, for the security of various programmes conducted in different parts of the city.
He ordered the DSPs and SHOs to remain in the field and offices to ensure security of sensitive points.
Lahore Arts Council celebrated the day with zeal and enthusiasm at Alhamra Art Centre. The celebration started with prayers for national security and prosperity.
The art centre arranged a competition in which Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts students painted portraits of martyrs and battle scenes with enthusiasm. The participants adjudged first, second and third will be given cash prizes along with certificates.
A musical tribute to pay homage to the martyrs was also arranged. Renowned classical singer Hamid Ali Khan performed superbly at the show. At the musical celebration, famous singers, including Abdul Rauf, Sajjad Tafu and the performing arts academy’s students paid tribute to Pakistan Army and raised their voices for Kashmiris’ rights.
Alhamra Art Centre Executive Director Ijaz Ahmed Minhas said the event aimed to pay tribute to Pakistan's armed forces because the Defence Day is a golden chapter in the history of Pakistan. The country needed the spirit of September 6, 1965, once again, he said, adding that the entire nation should wage a united struggle for the prosperity of the country.
The citizens also benefitted from arrangements made by the arts council to broadcast all the celebrations live on social media.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2021.
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