ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) – Pakistan is today observing golden jubilee of Defence Day to pay tribute to martyrs of 1965 war who successfully defended the motherland against unprovoked Indian attack along international border.
Fifty years ago, it was this day when Indian armed forces crosses international border in night and attacked Pakistan but Pakistan’s army, air force and navy befittingly responded and foiled the Indian plans.
The day’s celebrations began with 31 gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21 gun salute in all four provincial capitals.
Nation also observed minute’s silence as sirens were sounded at 9:29 am to herald a country-wide one-minute silence to pay tributes to martyrs of Pakistan. This was further followed by airing of National Anthem on all TV and radio channels at 9:30 am.
A central ceremony to mark the day would be held at Shuahada Monument in Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
On the occasion Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will also present a special air show over F-9 Park in Islamabad begging from 11:00 am. Fighting aircraft of PAF including JF-17 Thunder, F-16 and Mirage will take part in the show.
A special exhibition of military weapons has also been decorated at Lahore’s fortress stadium and parade ground in Rawalpindi.
In his message for the day President Mamnoon Hussain reiterated that Pakistan is a peace loving country and it wants peace in the region. However, its desire for peace must not be construed as our weakness. Pakistani nation and its armed forces can go to any extent in securing its borders and safeguarding its sovereignty, he stated.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his message to nation, said Pakistan is a responsible and peaceful nuclear power. He further added we want to have good and peaceful relations with all our neighbours on the basis of sovereign equality. The Pakistani nation, the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies are determined to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country with the same spirit of 1965, he declared.
The President and the Prime Minister also paid tributes to all those who laid down their lives and lost their loved ones in 1965 and 1971 wars and the on-going war against terrorism.
