Defence Day marked with patriotic fervour

The Defence and Martyrs Day was observed with patriotic zeal on Friday to honour the martyrs and veterans of the armed forces, and to renew the national resolve to defend the motherland from all threats.

On the occasion, the ministers visited the families of the martyrs, while President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, in their special messages, reaffirmed the nation's commitment to defend its sovereignty.

The day commemorates the successful defence of the country in 1965, in response to a surprise attack by Indian forces. The day is also a reminder of the unity and strength displayed during that wartime, while adhering to the Quaid's principles of "Faith, Unity, and Discipline".

The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals, and special prayers at mosques for the country's progress and prosperity, as well as for the liberation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

In his special message on Defence Day, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir said that September 6 held great significance in Pakistan's national and military history as a symbol of the country's defence.

On this day, Pakistan's army, navy, and air force, alongside the nation, thwarted the ambitions of a much larger enemy, he said. The unity and determination demonstrated during the 1965 war remained a proud legacy for both the armed forces and the country, he added.

In a separate message on Defence and Martyrs Day, President Zardari honoured the sacrifices of the Ghazis and Shuhada, reaffirming the nation's commitment to defend its sovereignty and support the armed forces in their readiness to respond to any threats.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a tweet on the social media platform of X, urged the countrymen to draw inspiration from the martyrs and Ghazis to defend and rebuild Pakistan with the same spirit of September 6, 1965.

Shehbaz paid tribute to the sacrifices of soldiers and martyrs as well as all those who had fought valiantly for Pakistan's defence. "Let us draw inspiration from our Shuhada and Ghazis to defend and rebuild Pakistan with the same spirit of September [1965]," he said.

The prime minister called for "embracing the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion to chart a course towards a brighter future for our beloved Pakistan" in line with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

On the occasion, members of the federal cabinet visited the shrines and homes of the martyrs on the instructions of the prime minister. They paid rich tributes to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice in defence of the motherland.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif visited to the house of Shaheed Major Jalaluddin in Quetta and met with the family. On the occasion, Asif said that the Pakistani nation was proud of its martyrs. "These martyrs have made Pakistan invincible by offering their precious lives," he added.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the family of Shaheed Lieutenant Abdul Moeed in Lahore. He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of Shaheed Lieutenant. Lt Abdul Moeed was martyred in December 2017 in North Waziristan.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar visited the house of Major Humayun Jahanzeb Shaheed and met his family.