Pakistan Army officials display a mock combat exercise (L); Pakistan Rangers officials participate in a march past. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK
Pakistan Army organised a ceremony at Fortress Stadium on the 50th Defence Day on Sunday
The event kicked off with a march past by Pakistan Army and Rangers. Later, men from Punjab Rangers put on an acrobatics display and a tent pegging show.
Pakistan Air Force did a fly past with its JF Thunder, F-16, Mirage and F-7s fighter planes. Thousands of participants cheered as the planes flew past. Pakistan Zindabad was a favourite slogan with the crowds.
Former chief of air staff Air Marshal Zafar Ahmed Chaudhry was the chief guest.
Stalls arranged at the exhibition had books on the PAF, aviation history and war. Documentaries about the PAF were also shown.
Weapons and machines being used by the PAF were put on display at the Lahore base. It was a popular attraction for hundreds of families.
A ceremony was also organised at Wagha border where hundreds of participants cheered at the flag hoisting ceremony.
The ceremony at Lahore Garrison was more sombre. The event opened with the recitation of Holy Quran. Special prayers were held for peace and prosperity after Fajr congregations.
The day broke with the national flag being hoisted at formation headquarters, units and army installations.
Pakistan Army officials display a mock combat exercise (L); Pakistan Rangers officials participate in a march past. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK
A ceremony was held at the monument for Major Raja Aziz Bhatti. Brigadier Bilal Javed laid a floral wreath and offered prayers.
Another ceremony was held at grave of Major Shabbir Sharif. General Officer Commanding Major General Fida Hussain Malik laid a floral wreath and offered prayers for the deceased. A contingent of Frontier Force Regiment presented the salute.
A change of guards ceremony was held at Mazar-i-Iqbal to pay homage to the national poet. A large number of officials attended the gathering.
Defence Day events were also held at the Army Graveyard in Lahore and Ganj-i-Shuhada near Kasur, where floral wreaths were laid at the memorial of Brigadier Ahsan Rashid Shami and other soldiers who perished in the line of duty.
Special durbars were held at formation headquarters and units, where a message by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif was read out to troops and commanding officers.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2015.
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