ISLAMABAD – The nation is celebrating Defence and Martyrs Day today to pay homage to the martyrs and ghazis who became a rock-solid wall to defend the motherland against the aggression of 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 designs of the enemy.
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The day dawned with 31 gun salute at Federal Capital and 21 gun salutes at provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered after Fajr prayers in mosques for progress and prosperity of the country.
Fateha and Quran Khawani is also being held for the martyrs.
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Change of guard ceremony will take place at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi in the morning and a PAF contingent will assume guard duty.
The main ceremony of the day will be held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi from 8: pm to 10: pm to pay homage to the martyrs and their families.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will be Chief Guest on the occasion, as confirmed by Minister of Information Chaudhary Fawad Hussain in a tweet.
The ceremony will be attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, three services chiefs, Ministers, Senators, MNAs, ambassadors, diplomats, military and civilian officials and people from various walks of life.
PM Imran’s Message
Prime Minister Khan in his message said Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and wants to promote mutual cooperation with other countries, including its neighbours, on the basis of equality.
He said the people of Pakistan have the ability to brave all challenges while following Quaid-i-Azam’s principles of Unity, Faith, and Discipline.
“The people of Pakistan will leave no stone unturned in defending their motherland, while standing side by side with [the] valiant armed forces of the country,” he was quoted as saying.
President Mamnoon
President Hussain said the spirit of sacrifices rendered by the armed forces and the nation should inspire the people to forge unity among their ranks.
He also emphasised the need to foster collective consciousness and wisdom, saying these traits are imperative to defeat the evil designs and conspiracies of the enemy.
Sindh
In Sindh, the main event of the day will be held in Karachi with the change of guard at Mazar-e-Quaid in the morning in which a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will assume the guard duties.
The representatives of three armed services will also visit the Mazar of the father of the nation and lay a floral wreath and offer fateha.
Representatives of armed forces will also visit the families of martyrs to express solidarity with them and to pay homage for the sacrifice of their loved ones.
Former Sindh Governor Lieutenant General Moinuddin Haider will be the chief guest on the occasion.
KP
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the main function in connection with the Defence and Martyrs Day will be held at Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Stadium, Peshawar.
Corps Commander Peshawar Lt. General Nazir Ahmad Butt will be the chief guest on the occasion. Families of martyrs will also attend the function.
An exhibition of military equipment including air defence, armour and artillery have been arranged to mark the day.
Floral wreaths will be placed at the graves of martyrs.
Balochistan
In Balochistan, the main ceremony will be held at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada in Quetta Cantt.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Jam Kamal Khan and Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa will lay a floral wreath on the Yadgar-i-Shuhada.
Besides, a flag hoisting ceremony will be held at the grave of Nawabzada Mir Siraj Raisani in his ancestral village Killi Kanak in Mastung district.
Inspector General Frontier Corps Balochistan, Major General Nadeem Anjum will lay a floral wreath on the grave of the martyr.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the main function would be held at Neelum Stadium in Muzaffarabad in the morning.
AJK President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan would be the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The ceremony will be attended by AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, families of martyrs, high ranking military and civil officials and notables of the city.
A function would also be held at Hockey Ground Narrol Stadium in the evening under the aegis of Kashmir Liberation Cell.
Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan would be the Chief Guest on this occasion.
The city has been decorated with the portraits of national heroes and martyrs of 1965 war.
