The nation will observe Defence of Pakistan Day on Saturday with a renewed pledge to render any type of sacrifice to defend the geographical and ideological frontiers of the country. This year, the Day has special significance as on this auspicious occasion, election for the prestigious slot of President of Pakistan is being held.
The Armed Forces, as well as the government, have prepared special programmes to observe the Day in a befitting manner. Seminars and get-togethers have been planned to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for defence of the country. Political, social and religious organisations will organise seminars to highlight the sacrifices of the armed forces while defending the motherland during the 1965 war.
The Defence of Pakistan Day will start with special prayers for prosperity and progress of the country. In Lahore, the General Officer Commanding will lay a floral wreath at the Mazar of Allama Iqbal in the morning to pay homage to the great poet-philosopher of the East. He will also lay wreath at the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif who had been posthumously awarded Nishan-i-Haider.
A similar ceremony will be held at the monument of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed along the BRB canal in Lahore, whereas wreath will also be laid on the graves of other martyrs of the September war at the Army Graveyard. In the evening, a get-together of ghazis and next-of-kin of shuhada will be held at the Defence Services Officers' Mess in Lahore.
The City District Government has also arranged Hilal-e-Isteqlal ceremony at Town Hall where flag hoisting ceremony will be held. District Nazim Mian Amer will hoist the national flag. Various schools and colleges have also arranged special programmes to highlight the importance of the Day. Newspapers will bring out special supplements while Radio and TV channels will beam special programmes to mark the Day.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in his message said: 'Defence Day of Pakistan carries a glorious chapter in our history. The Day reminds us of the determination, selflessness and sacrifices of our Armed Forces which they have rendered for the defence of the country. To defeat nefarious design of the enemy our valiant Armed Forces exhibited unwavering examples of faith, unity and discipline against heavy odds.
"Alhamd-o-Lillah, Pakistan Army is signifying same determination and enthusiasm while defending the country. In every hour of trial, the officers and men of our Armed Forces are standing side by side with the nation."
Kayani said that Pakistan is facing numerous threats to its security, which call for forging unity and trust amongst Armed Forces and the nation. "We will have to put in our hearts and soul to safe guard Pakistan's sovereignty and integrity. Particularly, we need to take wise decisions in order to eliminate the menace of terrorism and extremism from our soil. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's vision of a moderate state is the best guideline for us towards achieving that goal," he added.
He said the unprecedented courage displayed by Pakistan Armed Forces and the nation during 1965 War does provide us the same spirit and strength. "We are proud of our Shaheeds and Ghazies and their acts of valour and gallantry. Today we renew our pledge that we will uphold the same spirit and, fervour, hard work and patriotism, which we demonstrated 43 years ago. "May God bless us with courage and confidence so that we can defend sovereignty and integrity of our country? Ameen."
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in his message has called upon the countrymen to imbibe the 1965 spirit of unity, faith and discipline at a time when the nation stands at the crossroads of its destiny and strive for making Pakistan a truly dynamic, prosperous and democratic welfare state, where citizens can live in peace and harmony. He asked the nation to pledge on Defence Day "to uphold the dignity, honour and sovereignty of Pakistan at all costs."
"We need to draw strength from our Faith in Almighty Allah and reinvigorate ourselves to make Pakistan a truly dynamic, prosperous and democratic welfare state, where every citizen can live in peace and harmony," he said. Defence Day of Pakistan, he said, is a day when the nation pays "homage to our Shuhada and Ghazis who stood steadfast in the face of heavy odds to defeat an adversary that enjoyed overwhelming numerical and technological advantage."