LAHORE: A number of flag-hoisting ceremonies, rallies and events were held across the city to mark Defence Day to pay homage to the martyrs and express solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir.

The main ceremony was held at town hall where Lahore Metropolitan Corporation (MC) Administrator Asif Bilal Lodhi hoisted the national flag. A contingent of civil defence personnel presented a guard of honour.

“When our neighbouring country attacked our dearest country in 1965, Lahorites in particular and the people of the country in general stood shoulder to shoulder with the army that foiled the enemy’s bid, forcing it to retreat,” Mr Lodhi said while speaking on the occasion.

The MC and city administration, in association with various public and private sector departments, displayed banners, streamers, billboards inscribed with slogans to mark Defence Day and pay tribute to the martyrs of 1965 as well as police officers.

PML-Q: A delegation of the PML-Q, led by Punjab General Secretary Senator Kamil Ali Agha, visited the residence of the martyred deputy inspector general retired Capt Syed Ahmad Mobeen and the Martyrs Memorial at Batapur where they laid floral wreaths and offered prayers.

The delegation included Senior Vice President Salim Baryaar, former provincial minister Mian Imran Masood, Mian Munir, MPA Khadeeja Farooqui, former MPAs Amna Ulfat, Tamkeen Aftab and others.

PML leaders in Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Wazirabad and other areas also assured families of the martyrs that they were not alone and the whole nation was with them in every hour of need.

PAT: A delegation of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Minhajul Quran led by Khurram Nawaz Gandapur laid floral wreaths at the memorial of the 1965 martyrs and offered prayers.

Talking to the media along with Nurullah Siddiqui and Arif Chaudhry, Mr Gandapur said that Pakistan came into being as a result of sacrifices by leaders of the Pakistan Movement, adding that the blood of the martyrs safeguarded the homeland. He said millions of Pakistanis would stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces if the enemy dared to cast an evil eye on the country.

CITY ADMIN: The city administration and Lahore Development Authority (LDA), led by Deputy Commissioner Saleha Saeed and Director General Usman Moazzam, respectively, organised events to mark Defence Day and express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

The DC hoisted a flag at her office, while the DG and vice chairman visited Yadgar-i-Shuhada.

WORKERS: Hundreds of power workers held a meeting at Bakhtiar Labour Hall under the aegis of the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union to mark Defence Day.

In a resolution, the workers paid tribute to the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the defence of the country, and pledged to unite for its defence and progress. They also appealed to all the patriotic forces and the working class to forge unity among their ranks and defeat the parochial, ethnic and sectarian forces and establish a society based on equality and fraternity.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Railways, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and other departments also organised events to mark the day.

BUZDAR: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar visited the residence of Lance Naik Muhammad Taimur Aslam at Pir Colony in Walton.

The chief minister met Lance Naik’s father, maternal grandfather and other family members. He said the whole nation paid tributes to the bravery of Taimur Aslam.

Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said the nation paid tribute to the martyrs on defence.

In her message, she said the examples set by the martyrs of the 1965 war were torch-bearers for the nation.She also paid tributes to the courage of the Kashmiris.

Law Minister Basharat Raja and Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar on Friday visited Yadgar-e-Shuhda in Cantonment area.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Syed Ali Murtaza, Commissioner Lahore Asif Bilal Lodhi and Deputy Commissioner Saleha Saeed were present on this occasion as well.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2019