Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: The 53^rd Defence Day ceremony is underway at General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi here on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, senior civilian and military leaders, and other dignitaries are present in the main ceremony.

Families of martyrs, members of the federal cabinet, heads of political parties, lawmakers and celebrities are among the attendees at the ceremony.

The Pakistani nation is celebrating the day to pay tribute to its martyrs on the 53rd anniversary of the 1965 war.

On this day, 53 years ago, Indian forces had crossed the international border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan, but the nation foiled the nefarious designs of the enemy.

Earlier in the morning, a change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleums of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and at Allama Iqbal’s in Lahore.

pecial events to pay homage to the martyrs were also held at all district headquarters, with families of martyrs participating in them to commemorate their sacrifices.

Wreath laying ceremonies were also held at the mausoleums of the recipients of Nishan-e-Haider and attended by senior officials of the respective areas across the country.

After fajr, special prayers were offered in mosques for the country’s progress and prosperity. Fateha and Quran Khawani events for the martyrs were also held later in the day.