Heroes of 1965 war remembered, honoured
* Political, military leaders pay tributes to those slain in war
* Prayers offered for sovereignty and solidarity of country
By Arsalan Haider
LAHORE: The 47th Defence Day of Pakistan was marked with traditional spirit on Thursday as political and military officials arranged ceremonies to pay tributes to the country’s armed forces.
Ceremonies were held to lay floral wreaths on the graves of those killed in 1965 war, in Batapur. People also flocked to the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and paid tributes to the national poet.
Other ceremonies such as Defence Day parade, exhibition of ammunitions by the Pakistan Army at Fortress Stadium and exhibition of jet fighters and air show by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were again not held in the wake of poor law and order situation. Such ceremonies have not been held in the last couple of years.
The day started with prayers for the sovereignty, solidarity and integrity of the country. The national flag was hoisted at Formation Headquarters, units and army installations.
The ceremony at Iqbal’s mausoleum was attended by Lahore Garrison Commander Brig Mujahid Hussain who laid a floral wreath. The Pakistan Rangers Punjab also presented the salute.
A similar event was organised at the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif, who was awarded Nishan-e-Haider. Brig Qaiser Shehzad along with family members of Major Shabbir laid floral wreaths on the officer’s grave.
The Pakistan Rangers Punjab held a ceremony at Rangers Headquarters in which students of Rangers School sang national songs.
Major General Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain was chief guest of the function where the message of chief of army staff was also read. Punjab Rangers DG Brig Muhammad Jamil and Sutlej Rangers Sector Commander Brig Zahid Ahmad Rana were also present on the occasion.
In his message, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said unity and commitment were needed to tackle crises facing the country. He added that sacrifices rendered by Pakistani soldiers would never be forgotten.
The chief minister said that the country was facing internal threats and it was far away from achieving the “real” objective for which it was attained. He said that his party would continue its struggle until the “real” ideology of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah was achieved.
Political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N), PML-Quaid (PML-Q) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also arranged ceremonies to mark the day.
They paid tributes to soldiers who lost their lives while defending the nation during the war of 1965. A ceremony was also held at Town Hall, which was attended by Lahore DCO Noorul Amin Mengal, MNA Pervaiz Malik, Commodore Akbar Naqi and Group Captain MZ Faisal. Students from different schools sang national songs.
Speaking on the occasion, the DCO said, “The bravery of martyrs is still alive in our hearts and we cannot forget their sacrifices.” He also laid a floral wreath on the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif.
* Prayers offered for sovereignty and solidarity of country
By Arsalan Haider
LAHORE: The 47th Defence Day of Pakistan was marked with traditional spirit on Thursday as political and military officials arranged ceremonies to pay tributes to the country’s armed forces.
Ceremonies were held to lay floral wreaths on the graves of those killed in 1965 war, in Batapur. People also flocked to the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and paid tributes to the national poet.
Other ceremonies such as Defence Day parade, exhibition of ammunitions by the Pakistan Army at Fortress Stadium and exhibition of jet fighters and air show by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were again not held in the wake of poor law and order situation. Such ceremonies have not been held in the last couple of years.
The day started with prayers for the sovereignty, solidarity and integrity of the country. The national flag was hoisted at Formation Headquarters, units and army installations.
The ceremony at Iqbal’s mausoleum was attended by Lahore Garrison Commander Brig Mujahid Hussain who laid a floral wreath. The Pakistan Rangers Punjab also presented the salute.
A similar event was organised at the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif, who was awarded Nishan-e-Haider. Brig Qaiser Shehzad along with family members of Major Shabbir laid floral wreaths on the officer’s grave.
The Pakistan Rangers Punjab held a ceremony at Rangers Headquarters in which students of Rangers School sang national songs.
Major General Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain was chief guest of the function where the message of chief of army staff was also read. Punjab Rangers DG Brig Muhammad Jamil and Sutlej Rangers Sector Commander Brig Zahid Ahmad Rana were also present on the occasion.
In his message, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said unity and commitment were needed to tackle crises facing the country. He added that sacrifices rendered by Pakistani soldiers would never be forgotten.
The chief minister said that the country was facing internal threats and it was far away from achieving the “real” objective for which it was attained. He said that his party would continue its struggle until the “real” ideology of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah was achieved.
Political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N), PML-Quaid (PML-Q) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also arranged ceremonies to mark the day.
They paid tributes to soldiers who lost their lives while defending the nation during the war of 1965. A ceremony was also held at Town Hall, which was attended by Lahore DCO Noorul Amin Mengal, MNA Pervaiz Malik, Commodore Akbar Naqi and Group Captain MZ Faisal. Students from different schools sang national songs.
Speaking on the occasion, the DCO said, “The bravery of martyrs is still alive in our hearts and we cannot forget their sacrifices.” He also laid a floral wreath on the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif.
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