ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: The nation will observe Defence of Pakistan Day on Monday with a renewed pledge to sacrifice everything to defend the geographical and ideological frontiers of the country.

The armed forces have prepared special programmes to celebrate the day in a befitting manner. Seminars and get-togethers have been planned to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for the defence of the country.

Political, social and religious organizations will organize seminars to highlight the sacrifices of the armed forces while defending the motherland during the 1965 war.

The Defence of Pakistan Day will start with special prayers for the prosperity and progress of the country. In Lahore, Maj-Gen Bilal Omer Khan, the General Officer Commanding, will lay a floral wreath at the mazar of Allama Iqbal on Monday morning to pay homage to the great poet-philosopher of the East.

Maj-Gen Naeem Ahmad will lay wreath at the grave of Major Shabbir Sharif in Lahore who had been posthumously awarded Nishan-i-Haider for sacrificing his life in the 1965 war.

A similar ceremony will be held at the monument of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed along the BRB canal in Lahore, where Brig. Syed Amjid Shabbir will lay wreath on the graves of other martyrs of the September war at the Army Graveyard.

In the evening, a get-together of ghazis and next-of-kin of shuhada will be held at the Defence Services Officers' Mess in Lahore. Various schools and colleges have also arranged special programmes to highlight the importance of the day.

Newspapers will bring out special supplements while radio and TV channels will beam special programmes to mark the day. The Pakistan Muslim League's labour wing has planned a rally in the federal capital to pay homage to the martyrs of 1965. The rally will commence from Fire Brigade Office and terminate at Parliament House. -APP