Likewise other parts of the country, the Defence Day was observed on Friday with patriotic spirit, zeal and national enthusiasm across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and merged tribal districts. To pay homage to the martyrs and ghazis of 1965 war, traders, civil society, academicians and people from different walk of life hold rallies, walk and arranged special ceremonies in Peshawar.
An impressive ceremony was held at the Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Stadium here on Friday to observe Defence Day, where glowing tributes were paid to the martyrs of the country's armed forces. Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Shaheen Azhar, other high officials of the Pakistan Army and the government attended the ceremony. A large number of heirs of martyred and families of ghazis were also present. The war weapons were also displayed in the ceremony.
On the other hand, a floral wreath was laid and Fateha was offered at the grave of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed by army contingent led by Brigadier Muhammad Mushtaq, the Commander of 11 Artillery Corps. Captian Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed was born on January 1, 1970, in Naway Kallay, Swabi, and first joined Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as an Airman but later joined Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer in 1992. He embraced martyrdom on 5th July 1999 in an attack by the Indian Army on his post. He is one of ten recipients of Pakistanâ€(tm)s highest military honour, Nishan-e-Haider.
Ceremony was also held at PAF Base Peshawar and attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman as a chief guest. The dignitaries and high ranking officers including Air Vice Marshal IG PAF Imran Majid and Base Commander Air Commodore Zaeem Afzal were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the governor while paying tribute to the martyrs said that martyrs are our national heroes and they should always be remembered rather on specific occasion. He called for extending special importance to the bereaved families of the martyrs.
Expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people, the governor said that India should mindful of the fact that Kashmir is part of Pakistan.
The Khyber Teaching Hospital on Friday observed Defence Day and Kashmir Solidarity Day with national fervor and zeal and expressed resolve to stand with Pak Armed force for the sake of motherland.
The KTH staff including doctors, paramedics and other administrative staff carried out a walk led by Hospital Director Professor Dr Inayatur Rehman and Acting Medical Director Professor Dr Irshad Ahmed and paid rich tribute to martyrs of 1965 war. Earlier, the governor visited and inspected the fighter plans of Pakistan Air force and infantry put on display.
Defence Day was observed here in Landi Kotal to pay tribute to the martyrs of the country.