KARACHI: The Pakistani nation is celebrating Defence and Martyrs Day on Sunday (today) to pay homage to the martyrs and ghazis who became a rock-solid wall to defend the motherland against the aggression of the enemy.
It was on this day in 1965 that Indian forces crossed international border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan but the nation and the armed forces foiled the nefarious plan of the enemy.
The day dawned with 31 gun salute at the federal capital and 21 gun salute at provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered after Fajr in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country and independence of occupied Kashmir from the cruel clutches of India. Fateha and Quran Khawani are also being held for the martyrs.
Special ceremonies were also held at Naval Headquarters and Naval airbases to pay homage to martyrs. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) aired a song ‘Har Ghari Tayyar Kamran’ in this regard.
According to ISPR, the song is a remake of an old patriotic song of the ’80s originally sung by Khalid Waheed and written by Zafarullah Poshni. The additional lyrics have been penned by Ali Hayat Rizvi.
Television and radio channels are broadcasting special programmes and newspapers were published special editions to pay tributes to the heroes of the 1965 war.
A ceremony of “Change of Guard” held at the Mazar-e-Quaid.A smartly turned out cadets of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Asghar Khan Academy assumed the ceremonial guard duties at the mausoleum. Air Vice-Marshal Shakil Ghazanfar graced the occasion as the chief guest.
While addressing the gathering, he said Pakistan succeeded on September 6, 1965, due to the bravery and valour of soldiers of armed forces.
In Lahore, an elegant change of guards ceremony was also organized at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum where a contingent of the Punjab Rangers took over guard duties.
A reception in honour of retired personnel and family members of martyred soldiers is scheduled at 12:00 PM at Malir Cantonment. Senior serving officials of the Pakistan Army will attend the programme.
Floral wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at the graves of soldiers and officers martyred over the years.
The main ceremony of the day was scheduled to be held at General Headquarters where Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will address the audience.
A special ceremony will also be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr during which President Dr. Arif Alvi will confer upon military awards to the officers and soldiers of the armed forces in recognition of their meritorious services to the nation.
During the 1965 war, while the armed forces were engaged in defending geographical frontiers on the ground, air and sea, the entire nation formed a strong rocklike second defence line, extending and providing all support to their forces. In doing so, the people had forgotten as to which government was in power.
Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan was at the helm of national affairs as the President, and his inspirational speech after the sneaky Indian attack over Radio Pakistan had infused Great Spirit and courage among everyone.
The national priorities had thus become very clear and unambiguous in those days, any danger to the motherland called for unity and unwavering support to the government and the armed forces and it was forthcoming in a very strong and firm manner.
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