ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: The Defence of Pakistan Day will be observed on Thursday with traditional zeal and solemnity to pay homage to the brave men who rendered the supreme sacrifice during the 1965 war.

The day will dawn with special prayers in all the mosques for the wellbeing and prosperity of the country.

Messages from the services chiefs will be read out in all formation headquarters and unit durbars. The Hilal-i-Istaqlal will be hoisted in Sialkot, Sargodha and Lahore.

Wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at the mausoleums of recipients of Nishan-i-Haider, the highest gallantry award.

In their messages for the day, President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the Defence Day reminded us of the indomitable courage of the people and armed forces of Pakistan in thwarting nefarious designs of the enemy.

They said the supreme sacrifices rendered by the Shuhada and Ghazis served as a beacon of light and source of strength for us and the nation could rightly be proud of the outstanding courage of the defenders of the motherland. The day reminded the nation of a defining moment in the national history.—Agencies