Pakistan celebrates its 50th Defence Day on Sunday.
Special prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of the nation.
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the golden jubilee of Defence Day paid tribute to the shuhda of 1965 and 1971 wars and the ongoing war against terrorism.
The leaders said they are fully aware of the conspiracies and tactics of the enemies and expressed a desire for regional peace and good relations with neighbouring countries, adding that this desire for peace must not be misconstrued as a weakness. Nawaz acknowledged the determination of Pakistan’s armed forces and other law enforcement agencies to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country.
A Defence Day ceremony was held at the Naval Complex in Islamabad where Commodore Khalid Pervez was the chief guest.
Commodore Khalid Pervez said the morale of Pakistan’s armed forces is higher and firmer than ever and they are “prepared to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy”. He paid tribute to the gallantry and courage of those who participated in, and lost their lives in, the 1965 war.
Change of Guard ceremonies were held at the Mazar-i-Iqbal in Lahore and the Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi.
Brigadier Bilal Javed of the Pakistan Rangers offered prayers and laid a floral wreath at the Mazar-i-Iqbal mausoleum and Pakistan Rangers Punjab took over guard duty at the venue.
Around 75 Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Risalpur cadets took over guard duties at the Quaid’s mausoleum. Air Vice Marshall Asim Zaheer who was the chief guest at the ceremony laid a floral wreath on the Quaid’s grave, and a parade was held at the venue.
The celebrations are still ongoing.
