LAHORE:
The day began with a 21-gun salute at Fortress Stadium in Cantt, followed by flag hoisting ceremonies at all army units and headquarters. A guard of honour was mounted at the graves of receptionists of Nishan-i-Haider.
A change of guard ceremony was held at Iqbal’s mausoleum to pay homage to the national poet. A special lunch was hosted at army Garrison Mess to honour the soldiers who participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars. All army units and station headquarters were decorated and laminated in the evening.
The Pakistan Rangers observed the Defence Day with a renewed pledge to make every sacrifice for the country’s sovereignty and security. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Rangers’ Headquarters to honour the rangers’ war-martyrs. Rangers Director General Maj Gen Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain was the chief guest at the ceremony. A message from the Chief of Army Staff was also read on the occasion.
In another ceremony, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif laid a floral wreath at the monument to 1965 martyrs in Batapur.
Talking to the media on the occasion, the chief minister said that September 6 was the day for all citizens to renew the pledge to render all kinds of sacrifices for the security of the country. He said the nation will always remember the valour and sacrifices of the armed forces.
The City District Government of Lahore also organised a flag hoisting ceremony at the Town Hall. DCO Ahad Khan Cheema hoisted the flag on the occasion.
A couple of arts and photography exhibitions were arranged at the Alhamra Arts Gallery and Ambassador Hotel by various artists where they displayed their work to mark the National Defence Day.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2011.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
in india and pakistan i admire few peoples few of them are Allama muhammad iqbal, syed ahmed khan of aligarh, maulana mohammad ali lahori (born in sikh family then become a great scholar of islam) syed attaullah shah bukhari sahab mohammad ali jinnah. mirza ghalib, munshi prem chand.