Nation celebrated 50th Pakistan Defence Day
Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan celebrated its Golden Jubilee and known as 50th anniversary of 1965 war here on September 6 while Pakistan Air Force will celebrate on September 7 and Pakistan Navy will celebrate on September 8. This event is also called as 50th Defence Day.
One important factor was observed during celebration and that was a confusion about the title of the celebration as three different titles were being used including “50th Pakistan Defence Day”, “50th anniversary of Pakistan Defence Day” and “Golden Jubilee of Pakistan Defence Day”.
Pakistan defeated India ruthlessly in September 1965 that lasted over 15 days and biggest tank battle after World War II was held in this war. Government of Pakistan and Pakistan Army collectively arranged over 1000 events in bog and small cities and even remote towns to celebrate this 50th anniversary of Defence Day. State run as well as private media arranged a serioes of talk shows, events, special supplements and competitions to promote this historic day. People of Pakistan term the Defence Day as a great occasion in the history of Pakistan as the war of 1965 unified the whole nation and armed forces defend the national frontiers of the homeland.
Prime Minister of Pakistan visited graves of martyrs of 1965 in Lahore while all chief of Pakistan Army celebrated event at Islamabad and Rawalpindi. President Mamnoon Hussain attended spectacular Air Force fly-past conducted by Pakistan Air Forces at PAF Headquarter Islamabad.
Addressing the Nation, President Mamnoon Hussian said that Pakistan was a peaceful nation and would never accept aggression or negomony of anyone over this land of pures (Pak people). He lauded the role of armed forces for defending Pakistan in 1965 and said Army has also destroyed enemies of Pakistan today while referring to Pakistan Army war against terrorism.
The nation observed one minutes silence at morning to pay homage to those who sacrifices their lives to protect the motherland.
Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television Corporation held special transmission to celebrate day while Air Show was held in Islamabad—the capital city of Pakistan.
Talking to Radio Pakistan’s Nukta-e-Nazr programme, Defense analyst Dr Muhammad Khan said that this year we could say with confidence that we have accomplished major achievement in many regards against our enemy. All forces jointly did a lot on this day with unity and faith. In other words it was the right time to celebrate our glorious past.
He said our enemies must know that today we are in much better position to defend our country with well equipped trained armed forces. Defense analyst Major General (Retd.) Farooq Iqbal said that with devotion of the nation and help of Allah Almighty Pakistan in 1965 war, Pakistan defeated its enemy gloriously. Defense analyst Air Marshall (Retd.) Arshad Chaudhry said that Pak Army and Pakistan Air Force were fully capable to respond India aggression in very effective way added that our nation was fully motivated and armed forces were ready all the time to defend the integrity of our country at all costs.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said that 1965 war was undoubtedly won by Pakistan and this has also been recognized by the world. Addressing a function in connection with Defense of Pakistan Day in Islamabad, he said on this day India failed in its aggression while Pakistan remained successful in defending its territory.
This Defence Day was significant as Pakistan Army is fighting war against terrorists all over Pakistan and this war cost Pakistan over $1.9 billion and 3,500 hard core terrorists were killed during over one year military engagement. Pakistan Day was also celebrated in restive provinces of Balochistan and KPK in befitting manners and tribal area people also celebrated Defence Day along with soldiers of Pakistan Army who are busy in fighting terrorism in difficult terrain of tribal areas.
The Christian community and Hindus in Pakistan celebrated the Defence Day with zeal and national fervour and paid tribute to the national heroes of 65’s war.
Simple but impressive ceremonies were held at churches in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Faislabad, Lahore, Quetta and Shekhupura where large number of retired army officers and Jawans of Christian community attended this event. Special prayers were held by Christians for better future of Pakistan and for unity of Christians and Muslims for defending the homeland.
A guard mounting and wreath laying ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on Defence Day of Pakistan in Karachi. Seventy five cadets of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy, Risalpur, took over guard duties at the Mazar-e-Quaid. Air Vice Marshal Aasim Zaheer who was the chief guest on the occasion, laid floral wreath and offered Fateha at the grave.
A special ceremony was organised at the mausoleum of national poet Allama Iqbal in Lahore to mark the Defence Day of Pakistan.Brig Bilal laid a floral wreath on the grave of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, on behalf of Chief Of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. A smartly turned out squad of Rangers presented a solute to the mausoleum. A well number of citizens also visited the poet’s mausoleum on the defence day and prayed for the solidarity of the country.
