|
|
|
| September 07, 2006 | Thursday | Sha'aban 13, 1427 |
War martyrs remembered
LAHORE, Sept 6: Nation here on Wednesday celebrated the Defence Day in a befitting manner, commemorating all those who laid down their lives while defending homeland some 41 years ago.
The day-long celebrations started with Quran Khwani while special prayers were offered for the perseverance, integrity, sovereignty and solidarity of the country in the unit mosques after the Fajr prayers. The day dawned with national flag hoisting on all the Formation Headquarters, units and installations.
The national day is celebrated in memory of defence of the geographical borders of the homeland in the war waged by India in 1965 and those who rendered supreme sacrifices while defending the sacred soil of the motherland.
The auspicious day was observed with a renewed pledge and determination to make ‘Fizaia’ worthy of Pakistan.
Senior army commanders visited the graveyards, war memorials and mausoleums of officers and jawans, who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland and were conferred Nishan-i-Haider, the highest gallantry award of Pakistan.
General Officer Commanding Maj-Gen Raheel Sharif along with family members of the martyr placed a floral wreath at the grave of Maj Shabbir Sharif (Nishan-i-Haider) at Miani Sahib graveyard. Maj-Gen Raheel Sharif is the younger brother of the Shaheed.
Similarly, General Officer Commanding Maj-Gen Ghulam Mustafa Kausar laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha at Mazar-i-Iqbal to pay homage to the great poet, philosopher of East and thinker of Pakistan.
Defence Day of Pakistan was also celebrated at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base, Lahore, where a special parade was held in the morning whereas Base Commander Air Commodore Tubrez Asif read out the Chief of Air Staff’s order of the day, and Air Marshal Farooq Qari (retired) inaugurated the proceedings.
The base remained open to general public to witness the display of PAF aircraft, ground support and other auxiliary equipment. Stalls were set up where people could buy calendars and other souvenirs and literature pertaining to the PAF.
Impressive solo flying displays by PAF aircraft were also performed, which drew attention and admiration from the public.
A grand exhibition of armaments was arranged by the Lahore Garrison to celebrate the Defence Day of Pakistan in a big way at Expo Centre near the Fortress Stadium.
Punjab Governor Lt. Gen. (R) Khalid Maqbool was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition. The colourful ceremony was participated in by a large number of audience.
Tarrannum Naz, Jawad Ahmad and students of the Army Public School presented national songs.—APP
|
|
|
|
