On the Defence Day, various delegations attended the commemoration of martyrs at Ghazian-e-Dograi cemetery, located at Lahore Cantt, where the annual commemoration ceremony was held.
On behalf of the businessmen and journalist community, wreath was laid on the memorial of Ghazian-e-Dograi, and tents were erected to pay tribute to martyrs of the country. The ceremony was attended by the Pakistan Journalist Foundation, Voice of Pakistan, business community of the Fifth Pillar organisation. A delegation of overseas Pakistanis also attended the cemetery.
The Pakistan Journalist Foundation delegation, led by Senior Journalist Zulfiqar Rahat, business community leader of the ‘Fifth Pillar’ was led by famous businessman Abid Butt. Among others another delegation was led by the President of Australia-Pakistan Association Iqbal Chaudhry.
The members paid tribute to the eternal sacrifices and unparalleled services of the Pakistan Army.
The delegation heads said that no one in the world could defeat the Pakistani people and their passion. Survival lies only in unity, so the whole nation must ensure defence of homeland, they urged.
The Battle Of Dograi on Sept 22 marks the day when India faced defeat at the hands of Pakistani forces. The 17-day war in September 1965 holds great significance in Pakistan’s military history.
A proud unit affiliated with the Punjab Regiment of the Pakistan Army, led by Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Golwalla, turned the dream of capturing Lahore into a nightmare for the enemy with the blood of 106 martyrs. The 16 Punjab Regiment successfully repelled 18 enemy attacks in those 17 days with the force of only two companies. The memory of these martyrs is preserved at the iconic Ganj Shahidaan in Lahore Cantonment, where every year on Sept 22, tributes are paid to the sons who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly has passed unanimously a resolution on Defence Day, September 6.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan tabled the resolution pertaining to Defence Day.
“The House pays tribute to officers of the Armed forces for sacrificing their lives on September 6, 1965,” it was mentioned in the resolution. Army, Navy and Air Forces played an exemplary role to defend motherland in 1965 war.
Armed forces will not hesitate to sacrifice and defend their motherland if needed and the nation would support them and stand side by side. The Punjab Assembly speaker has also postponed the session of the house until Monday 2 pm.
Separately, a resolution on Defence Day was unanimously passed by the Senate of Pakistan here on Friday paying rich tributes to the unparalleled role played by the Armed Forces in safeguarding the nation and the country on September 6, 1965. The resolution presented by Senator Poonjo Bheel stated that the House commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of the Armed forces and paid homage to all those who sacrificed for the motherland despite substantial challenges in the line of duty. The celebrations of Defence Day remind us that our soldiers are the greatest assets who demonstrated against a large enemy with notable courage and strategic skills. The Senate of Pakistan and the nation united with the Armed forces with all faiths, the resolution said.