PESHAWAR: The Defence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with national fervour and enthusiasm in the provincial capital and all other cantonments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.

The day commenced with special prayers in mosques for the peace, prosperity and solidarity of the country and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their motherland. A special darbar was held in the provincial capital where message of the chief of the army staff was read to the troops, according to a press release issued by the ISPR here.

The hallmark of the day was a special exhibition of defence equipment in Captain Karnal Sher Khan Stadium which was inaugurated by Corps Commander Let-Gen Khalid Rabbani.

The display included modern arms and ammunition, including precision weapons being used by the army and paramilitary forces in the operation Zarb-i-Azb. Audience lauded the performances of different bands, including brass band. Local folk dances added colour to the show.

Special exhibition, fly-past held in Peshawar

Aviation fly-past and aerobatics were the showpiece of the event and spectators appreciated the expertise of the pilots and enjoyed the show.

A large number of citizens, including students from different schools and universities, attended the exhibition.

A get together for retired officers and soldiers was also arranged where retired officers shared their war experiences with the young officers.

LAKKI MARWAT: Pak Army arranged a ceremony at the district council hall where boys and girls students of public sector schools sang patriotic songs and presented tableaus. A cultural show was also arranged on the occasion.

Besides, the Commandant of Tajazai base camp Colonel Imran Faiz performed the flag hoisting ceremony at the district headquarters complex where an army contingent presented salute to the national flag.

The events were organised in collaboration with the district administration, education department and district boy scouts association.

MPA Munawar Khan Marwat, deputy commissioner Syed Zafar Ali Shah, DEO Nazir Khan, DEO female Razia Khattak and ADO sports Nisar Mohammad, members of Marwat Qaumi Jirga, elders and teachers were in attendance.

Documentaries portraying Pak Army’s services in maintaining peace, bringing development and launching welfare activities in the district as well as sacrifices of soldiers were screened.

“Today the entire nation commemorates valour and courage of the heroes of 1965 war and pay homage to those died fighting enemy forces and those returned victorious,” said MPA Munawar Khan on the occasion. He said that ‘today we should renew our pledge to protect our country from internal and external aggressions and make its defence invincible’.Later, Col Imran Faiz distributed furniture to schools. He also gave away trophies and gifts to students who performed in the ceremony.

SWABI: A smart contingent of Pak Army laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum of late Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed and offered Fateha for the departed soul on the occasion of the Defence Day of Pakistan.

Rich tributes were paid to Sher Khan, who is the sole recipient of the prestigious Nishan-i-Haider award from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for his valiant struggle at the heights of Kargil against the enemy forces in 1999.

Brigadier Mudassar Azam of army led the prayers at the gravesite of army hero, who sacrificed his life defending the frontiers of the motherland at the snow-capped mountains in Kashmir. Sher Khan entered in the enemy’s camp and fought so brilliantly that when he died the Indian forces also saluted him.

Khursheed Khan, father of Captain Sher Khan and brother Sikandar Sher Khan were also present at his mausoleum.

Speaking on the occasion, Khursheed Khan said that he was proud of his son’s bravery in protecting his motherland.

Political activists and people belonging to different walks of life visited the tomb of war hero and paid tribute to him.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2014