The Defence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with national fervour and enthusiasm all over the country on Sunday.

On 6th September 1965, Pakistan’s valiant armed forces and the entire nation stood united to foil the nefarious designs of the enemy who had dared cast an evil eye on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. The day commenced with special prayers in mosques for the peace, prosperity and solidarity of the country and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their motherland.

Tributes were paid to the martyrs of the 1965 war by observing a one-minute silence at 9:29am. The aim of observing silence was to convey a message of unity in defending the motherland. This was followed by the airing of the national anthem by all broadcasting networks at 9:30am. Fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force presented a splendid fly-past at a ceremony held at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.

The civil society was also actively taking part in these programmes to highlight the strong commitment of the nation and the armed forces to defend the motherland in the face of aggression by India. The main functions of the day were held at the General Headquarters Rawalpindi and Convention Centre in Islamabad to pay tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan.

The 50th Defence Day of Pakistan is also being celebrated in Azad Jammu and in Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The celebrations each year also provide an opportunity to the people to acknowledge the services of the serving personnel of the armed forces who are hailed at colourful events across the country. Pakistan Army is rendering invaluable sacrifices for purging the country of the menace of terrorism; we must stand with them shoulder to shoulder. Indeed, the 1965 war is a glorious chapter in the defence history of Pakistan.

We should pledge that we will defeat all internal and external threats through our unity as we did in 1965.