The nation observes 45th Defence of Pakistan Day today with simplicity and dignity to commemorate the great sacrifices made by its valiant armed forces and people for the defence of the motherland against Indian aggression, and to renew the pledge to make every sacrifice for unity, integrity, sovereignty and economic progress of the country.
The day will dawn with Quran Khawani for the souls of martyrs in all main mosques in the provincial capital. Special prayers will be offered after Fajr prayers for the solidarity, prosperity and integrity of Pakistan and for liberation of occupied Muslim territories including Kashmir and Palestine.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman Col Arshad told Business Recorder here on Sunday that in view of the devastating floods and uprooting of millions of people across the country, the Armed Forces have decided to observe the day with simplicity, sobriety and dignity, and cancelled the Fauji Melas in the cantonments.
To mark the Defence of Pakistan Day, national flag hoisting ceremonies will be held at all formation headquarters, units and installations. The change of guards ceremonies will be held at the mazars of Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore. Different organisations will lay floral wreaths at the Mazars.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will also observe the Defence Day with traditional fervour to pay homage to the defenders of Pakistan and its heroes who laid down their lives in encounters with the enemy in September 1965 and other wars against India.
In Lahore, a special ceremony will be held at the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif (Shaheed), Nishan-e-Haider, to pay homage and commemorate his sacrifices. Similar ceremonies will also held at Army Graveyard in Lahore and Gunj-e-Shuhada near Kasur, where floral wreaths will be laid on the memorial of Brigadier Ahsan Rashid Shami. Special Durbars will be held at formation headquarters and units, where message of Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will be read out to the troops, and Commanding Officers will highlight the significance of the day.
Hoisting of Hilal-e-Istiqlal ceremonies in Lahore, Sialkot and Sargodha on Jinnah Halls by the civilian leaders are other important features of Defence of Pakistan Day functions.
Hilal-e-Istiqlal were awarded to these cities after the September 1965 War for the courage, valour and bravery of the citizens of these three cities who faced the brunt of the Indian aggression.