Defence Day: Tribute paid to valiant soldiers

Army chief to spend the day with troops participating in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, numerous functions held across country

KARACHI: Defence Day is being observed throughout the country on Saturday with great enthusiasm to pay tribute to valiant soldiers, who died fighting for defence of the country.

The day started with special prayers in mosques for the progress of the country.

Numerous functions are being held all across the country to mark the day.

A change of guards’ ceremony was held at the mausoleums of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi in connection with Defence Day where contingents of Pakistan Air Force Risalpur Academy cadets took charge of guard of the tomb and Air Vice Marshal Asim Zaheer was the chief guest at the ceremony, Radio Pakistan reported.

Zaheer inspected guard of honour and laid floral wreath on Mazar of the founder of the nation and Fateha was offered as well for Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's soul.

A ceremony was also held at Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore during which Major General Amir Abbasi, the Garrison Commander, laid floral wreath at the Mazar on behalf of the army to pay tribute to the poet philosopher Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal and offered fateha.

A function was also held at the Mazar of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed in Lahore where General Officer Commanding, Major General Fida Hussain laid a floral wreath at Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed's grave to pay tribute to him for sacrificing his life for the country.

Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers who laid their lives for the protection of the country, President Mamnoon Hussain, in his message on Defence Day, has said that the armed forces are fully prepared to fight against internal as well as external threats, Express News reported.

It was further reported that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured the nation that the current democratic government is committed to fulfill the needs of the armed forces.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Maj-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said on twitter that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif will be spending Defence Day with the soldiers participating in the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan:

#zarbeAzb:Army Chief leaves for MIrAli,N.Waziristan,to spend 48th Defence Day with troops,participating in the Operation.#DefencePak

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 6, 2014

Express News reported that the army chief has arrived in Mirali.

Politicians on twitter paid tribute to soldiers of the armed forces:

Today we salute all our brave soldiers who defend our country and lay down their lives for it with unquestioning faith and conviction.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 6, 2014

Salute to all Jawans protecting us in the trenches;heartfelt prayers for the martyrs who gave their lives to save our's #DefenceDayPakistan

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 6, 2014

Aye raah-e-huq ke shaheedo, wafa ki tasveero, tumhain Watan ki hawaein salam kehti hain ... Salute to the brave sons of soil.. #6thSept

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) September 6, 2014

Here is a video of the flag lowering ceremony at the Wagah Border: