Daily Times

LAHORE: The 51st Defence Day was observed in the provincial capital to pay rich tributes to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives just to save the motherland in the 1965 war.

In this connection, a large number of ceremonies, seminars and special prayers were organised by the government, Army, Pakistan Air Force, Rangers, education institutions, Christian community and people from different walks of life, remembering the struggles of the martyrs.

The day started with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the nation. Army officials and people belonging to different walks of life thronged to the Miani Sahib Graveyard and offered Fateha on the grave of martyr Major Shabbir Sharif.

Pakistan Army organised a befitting ceremony at the tomb of this brave army officer, which was attended by the martyr’s family members, Garrison Officer Commandant Major General Fida Hussain Malik and a large number of citizens.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army led by Major General Fida Hussain Malik presented a salute to Major Shabbir Sharif who embraced martyrdom in 1971 war. Major Shabbir Sharif’s son Taimoor Shabbir and other family members also visited the tomb to pay respect to the national hero.

On the occasion, Taimoor Shabbir paid glowing tributes to Pakistan Army for rendering great sacrifices for the sake of country’s defence. He urged the nation to follow the legacy of Major Shahbbir Shaheed and continue support of Pak Army for the defence of homeland.

Pakistan Army has also held ceremony in connection of Defence Day at Fortress Stadium where message of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif was read out. A ceremony was also held at Allama Iqbal Mausoleum where Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) troops paid salute to the national poet and philosopher. General Officer Commanding Major General Sardar Tariq Aman and Section Commander Brigadier Asim Hussain attended the ceremony and observed the guard of honour.

Defence Day was also celebrated with zeal and fervour by Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The day dawned with special prayers in the PAF mosques for martyrs, who laid down their lives for the country.

A special parade was held at the PAF Base, Lahore. Base Commander Air Commodore Salman Mehboob read out the message of the chief of air staff, Pakistan Air Force. In connection with Defence Day, an aerial and static display was also arranged at PAF Base. Earlier, addressing the occasion as chief guest, Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana said that September 6 was a milestone in the history of Pakistan when Pakistan Army and the entire nation courageously defended the homeland against the enemy attack.

He said that Pakistan armed forces have witnessed commendable success in the operation Zarb-e-Azb, adding that the operation has improved the security situation in the country for which the nation pays rich tribute to brave and heroic personnel of armed forces. The Governor said, “Our brave armed forces had given a clear message to the enemy about the independence of the country on September 6 in 1965.”

He said that the nation is proud of its armed forces that rendered great sacrifices for safeguarding the motherland in the 1965 war. “We have attained self-reliance in production of advanced weapons,” he maintained.