Rawalpindi (September 06, 2018): Nation celebrated defence and martyr’s day as the main ceremony has ended at General Headquarters. Prime Minister Imran Khan along with First Lady Bushra Imran attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and other civil and military leadership were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed defence day ceremony in GHQ and said that Pakistan Army was the “only institution (in the country) that works on the basis of merit”.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
“We will bring this meritocracy to all fields in the country in order to help us prosper as a nation,” the premier vowed.
The prime minister also mentioned that all fields in the country including agriculture will prosper once we develop a strong rule of law in the country.
Commenting on the war against terrorism PM said, “I assure you that Pakistan will never again indulge other’s war as in last 15 years of war against terrorism all enemies had targeted country,” however, he continued, “When any nation unite for a common cause it achieved its destination.
PM Khan took advantage of the occasion to clarify that there was no such thing as civil-military tension, “there is one common goal, that is to solve the problems of this nation”.
Before Prime Minister, addressing to Defence Day’s main ceremony Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa stressed that the continuity in the democratic process essential for the stability and progress of the country.
“Enemy attempted to make fragile us from our ranks, however with the assistance of the national armed forces defeated hostile forces and restored the peace in the country,” army chief said.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Paying tribute to the families of the martyrs chief of the armed forces said, “The nation who forget their martyrs never maintain its existence in the world,” he continued, “We will not let waste the blood of martyrs and complete peace will be restored soon.”
“September 6 is an important day in the history of our nation. It serves as an important reminder and an inspiration to our youth today,” said Gen Bajwa while addressing the ceremony.
He reminded that more than 70 thousands people martyred in the war against terrorism, however, their blood will lay the base of peaceful dawn.
Families of martyrs, members of the federal cabinet, heads of political parties, lawmakers and celebrities are among the attendees at the ceremony.
Prominent politicians including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto are also present along with senior military leadership.
The chiefs of Navy and Air Force are also attending the ceremony along with several diplomats and ambassadors.
In addition, sports personalities including cricketers Shahid Afridi and Zaheer Abbas along with Olympian Shahbaz Senior and squash champion Jahangir Khan can also be seen among those attending.
Also in attendance are school children along with people from different walks of life, including parliamentarians, media representatives, celebrities and sportsmen.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
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.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
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.
Special 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.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
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.
Change of guard ceremonies were held at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi and at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
During the ceremony at the Quaid’s mausoleum, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force assumed guard duties.
In Lahore, Garrison Commander Major General Muhammad Aamir laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Meanwhile, a special ceremony to mark Defence Day is in progress at Fortress Stadium in Lahore under the aegis of Pakistan Army.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar is the Chief Guest on the occasion. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and Corps Commander Lahore Lt Gen Aamir Riaz are attending the ceremony.
Special ceremony held at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad
Pakistan Navy organised a special ceremony at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Kaleem Shaukat was the chief guest.
On the occasion, the message of the Naval chief was also read out in which he highlighted the role played by Pakistan Navy in the 1965 was.
Flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah border crossing
Hundreds of citizens turned up to witness the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah border crossing in the evening on Thursday.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
The spectators paid tribute to the martyrs chanting slogans in support of the armed forces of the country.
PM Imran’s message
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message to the nation on Defence Day said that the people of Pakistan will leave no stone unturned in defending their motherland.
We stand side-by-side with valiant armed forces of the country, the premier said.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
“We will face all challenges while following Quaid-e-Azam’s principles of unity, faith and discipline,” he continued.
PM Imran also paid rich tribute to the martyrs for their sacrifices in defending the motherland and assured their families that every possible step will be taken for their welfare.
“Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and wants to promote mutual cooperation with the world, including neighbours on the basis of equality,” PM Imran added.
President Mamnoon’s message
President Mamnoon Hussain said that people of Pakistan demonstrated unsurpassed national unity.
In his message, the outgoing president added, “The sacrifices rendered by our valiant armed forces and the nation call for carrying on the spirit of September by forging unity among our ranks and fostering collective consciousness and wisdom as these traits are imperative to defeat the evil designs and conspiracies of the enemy.”
Army chief’s message
Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa paid tribute to the martyrs and their relatives on the occasion.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
In a promo released by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief said, “The death of a martyr has kept the country alive.”
DG ISPR’s message
Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted, “It’s ‘Defence and Martyrs Day today. Let’s visit homes of our martyrs. Let’s salute them and their great families. Let’s thank them for their great sacrifices for our country. Great nations never forget their martyrs; we are a great nation.”
Several politicians and ministers paid tribute to martyrs of the 1965 war.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Defence Day serves as a reminder to the enemies that the “armed forces and Pakistani nation were, are and will stay united for the sake of country’s defence, progress, dignity and sovereignty”.
“Today, we will also have to reaffirm our resolve to make Pakistan a welfare and impregnable power whilst emulating the spirit of September war,” Chaudhry added.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal reiterated the pledge to revive the spirit of unity of September 1965 in confronting new challenges.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
“Pakistan Army is now writing a new chapter of gallantry in the war against terrorism for the stability of the country and are rendering invaluable sacrifices for purging the country of the menace of terrorism,” he added.
Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that those who sacrificed their lives for the nation are our heroes and will forever be remembered.
Related News:
