Defence day observed with simplicity

The top leadership of Pakistan urged the people to reinvigorate the spirit of 1965 to face current challenges.

The president, the prime minister, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman and the Chief of Army staff on Monday urged the people of Pakistan to reinvigorate the 1965 war spirit to deal with problems facing the nation today.

In a Defence Day message to the people, President Zardari appealed to the nation to unite to meet the challenges. He said that the armed forces, backed by the power of the people and Parliament, will continue fighting the militants till their end.

JCSC chairman General Tariq Majeed hailed the unity of the armed forces and the people in thwarting nefarious designs of a numerically superior enemy.

In his message, COAS General Ashfaq Kiyani said that the September 6 spirit transforms the men in uniform as well as the entire Pakistani nation.

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani renewed his government's pledge to make Pakistan a strong and invincible country by inculcating unity, faith and discipline in lives of Pakistani people.

He said September 6 is a red letter day in the history of Pakistan when the armed forces with the solid support of the people exhibited unprecedented valor in thwarting grave threats to the country.

Ceremonies to mark Defence Day

Defence Day was observed in the country with simplicity due to the unprecedented devastating floods. All the governmental functions were called off and the saved funds will be donated to towards relief for the flood victms.

A guard changing ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah in Karachi and the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore to mark the Defence Day of Pakistan.

Pakistan Air Force Risalpur's cadets conducted the ceremony at Jinnah’s mausoleum.

The chief guest on the occasion, Air Officer Commander PAF Risalpur Air Vice Marshall Hafeezullah laid a floral wreath on Jinnah’s grave and offered Fateha.

During the ceremony held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, Garrison commander Major General Mazhar Jameel paid homage to the great poet.

Pakistan Navy observed the Defence Day of Pakistan with respect and solemnity to commemorate its bold operations and sacrifices of its Shuhuda during 1965 Pak-Indo war.

In his message on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir paid tribute to Shuhuda and said that their sacrifices will be remembered forever in the history of valour and fearlessness.