Defence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with national spirit and usual enthusiasm in the city and other parts of Sialkot district on Tuesday. The programmes started with special prayers for the solidarity, prosperity and unity of the country as well as for the early liberation of Indian-occupied Kashmir in all mosques of the city.
Quran Khwani was also held at various places for the Shuhada, who laid their lives in the defence of their homeland.
The Hilal-e-Istaqlal hoisting ceremony was held under the auspices of Sialkot Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) at Jinnah Hall.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Industries and Investment Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema paid rich tributes to the Pakistan Armed Forces and people of Sialkot on the courage they demonstrated during the September 1965 war and consequently the city was awarded the Hilal-e-Istaqlal.
Ajmal Cheema said that they should forge complete unity among their ranks and foil the nefarious designs of anti-state elements.
The Minister said that the nation should demonstrate the same spirit and courage that was showed during the September 1965 for making the country an invincible fort of the glob.
Cheema said under the dynamic leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf and effective economic polices of the government the country had attained very strong position and moving towards right direction, he said.
He said that it was high time that "we should shun our petty differences and work together for the all round development of the country."
The collective efforts were direly needed at this juncture for making the country stronger, he added.
Addressing the ceremony, Station Commander, Sialkot, Brigadier Abdul Rehman, paid rich tributes to the people of Sialkot for showing great courage during the September 1965 war as a result of which the city was awarded the Hilal-e-Istaqlal.
The Station Commander underscored the need for developing the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood as well as demonstration of "Unity", "Faith" and "Discipline" for edging out the anti-state elements.
Earlier, Brigadier Abdul Rehman, Ajmal Cheema, ex-tehsil Nazim of Sialkot Muhammad Akmal Cheema and caretaker TMA Sialkot jointly unfurled the Hilal-e-Istaqlal flag on top of Jinnah Hall.
Meanwhile, people of different walks of life visited Chawinda where the biggest tank-battle was fought. They paid rich tributes to the martyrs, who laid their lives for the defence of the country.
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