LAHORE: Educational institutes of the provincial metropolis on Thursday celebrated the Defence Day and paid tributes to those who laid down their lives for the motherland in 1965 war.

Punjab University organised the ceremony at Main Hall of the College of Art and Design on its Old Campus. The speakers were of the view that the Pakistan Army and the nation were indispensible and no one dared look at us with bad intentions.

Former PU Vice Chancellor retired Lt Gen Arshad Mahmood said he saw practical implementation of Quaid-i-Azam’s message of unity, faith and discipline in 1965 war.

He said the army defeated Indian forces on all fronts during the war.

“I also suffered a bullet injury in my leg and refused to go to hospital and did not leave the battlefield to defend the border,” he said. He said the army was well-trained and much superior to the Indian army.

PU VC Prof Niaz Ahmed said the army had achieved unprecedented success in war on terror. He said our engineers and technologists were also contributing to make our defence stronger and the quality of our atomic programme was on a par with any developed country of the world.

The students sang national songs and a documentary was played in connection with Defence Day celebrations.

Later, PU VC Prof Niaz Ahmad announced Rs100,000 for the students on their outstanding performance. He also visited Yadgar-i-Shohda and laid floral wreath and offered prayers for the departed soul.

GCU: The Government College University (GCU), Lahore, has paid tribute to martyrs in connection with the Defence Day.

The university decorated its buses with pictures of soldiers who had given their lives for the country.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah said Pakistan was a peace loving nation which never preferred war but it believed in dignity and honour and kept its defense strong to ensure sovereignty.

He said the civilians should support their armed forces for defence of the country by performing their duties honestly.

UVAS: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore also held ceremony to pay tribute to the martyrs of Defence Day.

The students had performed on national songs and a debate competition was also held and the ISPR short video was showed to the participants. A number of students and faculty members attended the programme.

UVAS Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Rabbani highlighted the sacrifices of armed forces for the defense of the country.

Similar activities were also arranged on all other campuses of the UVAS at Pattoki, Jhang, Narowal and Layyah.

UET: The students and faculty of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) held a walk to celebrate the Defence Day.

UET Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid stated Pakistan had the capability to give full response to its enemy through a defensive strategy.

PIFD: The Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) conducted a poster and declamation contest in connection with the Defence Day.

Students made different kinds of posters highlighting the armed forces sacrifices in the 1965 war.

The chief guest of the ceremony were Prof Akhtar Saeed and Prof Surraiya Shafi who played the role of jurists and later also distributed prizes among the winners.

PIFD Vice Chancellor Hina addressed the participants.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2018