COAS General Bajwa says Freedom owed to sacrifices of Martyrs
Irshad Ali
ISLAMABAD: Anyone intending to hurt the bond between the country’s armed forces and its people is not a friend of Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in his message on Defence Day.
Pakistan is observing today (Tuesday) Defence Day with patriotic zeal and zest and remembering the valorous martyrs of the 1965 war, as the nation continues its battle against historic floods.
The nation observes the day every year on September 6 to pay homage to the shuhahda and ghazis of the battle and reaffirm its commitment to defend Pakistan against all threats.
The day marks the start of the Pakistan-India war in 1965 when Indian troops breached the international border in the darkness of the night with the intention to take control of the country but the nefarious designs of the enemy were thwarted by Pakistan army.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on the occasion that Defence Day symbolises the unwavering resolve of the armed forces, backed by the “great Pakistani nation to defend [the] motherland against all odds”.
“We owe our freedom & peace to unprecedented sacrifices of martyrs 2 keep the flag high,” the military’s media wing quoted Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying.
On Tuesday, the celebrations started off with special prayers in mosques after fajr. The nation prayed for the progress and prosperity of the country and the independence of Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
A change of guards ceremony took place at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi and the guards of Pakistan Air Force’s Asghar Khan Academy assumed charge at the mausoleum.
Similar ceremonies and events were organised at the tomb of Allama Iqbal, schools and other educational institutes.
As Pakistan grapples with the historic floods and other challenges, we need to summon the spirit of 1965, PM Shehbaz said.
“National unity is our greatest strength. Let us fortify this bond of One Nation,” he wrote on Twitter.
The PM also said that it is a matter of great pride that the valiant armed forces and the brave Pakistani nation have carried forward the proud legacy of the 1965 war by successfully “defeating the monsters of terrorism and extremism in their two-decade-old struggle”.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday said ‘We owe our freedom and peace to the unprecedented sacrifices of martyrs to keep the flag high’.
The Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR DG) shared the message of the Army Chief on the official Twitter handle of the ISPR.
The Army Chief said September 6 symbolised unwavering resolve of Pakistan Armed Forces backed by the great nation to defend motherland against all odds, adding, “Nation salutes our heroes.”
The tweet was followed by hashtags #OurMartyrsOurHeroes and #JurratKeNishaan (symbol of valour).
“Anyone intending to hurt the bond between the country’s armed forces and its people is not a friend of Pakistan”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in his message on Defence Day.
Pakistan observed Defence Day with patriotic zeal and zest and remembering the valorous martyrs of the 1965 war, as the nation continues its battle against historic floods.
The nation observes the day every year on September 6 to pay homage to the shuhahda and ghazis of the battle and reaffirm its commitment to defend Pakistan against all threats.
The day marks the start of the Pakistan-India war in 1965 when Indian troops breached the international border in the darkness of the night with the intention to take control of the country but the nefarious designs of the enemy were thwarted by Pakistan army.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on the occasion that Defence Day symbolises the unwavering resolve of the armed forces, backed by the “great Pakistani nation to defend [the] motherland against all odds”.
“We owe our freedom & peace to unprecedented sacrifices of martyrs 2 keep the flag high,” the military’s media wing quoted Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying.
On Tuesday, the celebrations started off with special prayers in mosques after fajr. The nation prayed for the progress and prosperity of the country and the independence of Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
A change of guards ceremony took place at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi and the guards of Pakistan Air Force’s Asghar Khan Academy assumed charge at the mausoleum.
Similar ceremonies and events were organised at the tomb of Allama Iqbal, schools and other educational institutes.
As Pakistan grapples with the historic floods and other challenges, we need to summon the spirit of 1965, PM Shehbaz said.
“National unity is our greatest strength. Let us fortify this bond of One Nation,” he wrote on Twitter.
The PM also said that it is a matter of great pride that the valiant armed forces and the brave Pakistani nation have carried forward the proud legacy of the 1965 war by successfully “defeating the monsters of terrorism and extremism in their two-decade-old struggle”.
President Dr Arif Alvi said the 6th of September is remembered as a symbol of courage, display of unmatched resilience and the spirit of supreme sacrifice by the valiant sons of the soil.
He said in that testing time, not only the Armed Forces of Pakistan fought fearlessly on ground, in air and in waters, but each and every citizen came out to defend and safeguard the motherland.
Referring to Pakistan’s success in the two decades long war against terror, he said Pakistan Armed Forces’ contribution in peace missions worldwide is a matter of great pride which is also rightly acknowledged by the international community.
