RAHIM YAR KHAN: Ceremonies to mark the golden jubilee of the Defence Day and Youm-i-Shuhada (martyrs’ day) were held in Punjab on Sunday.
Rahim Yar Khan’s Bahadur Cantonment event was dedicate to the soldiers’ who laid down their lives during 1965 war and fighting against militants in Zarb-i-Azab and other operations against militants.
On the occasion, Brig Khurram Nawaz Khan, the Station Commander of 60th Brigade highlighted the significance of sacrifices rendered by the soldiers and officers of the country’s armed forces for the defence of motherland.
Schoolchildren of Army Public School sang national songs at the event that was attended by families and relatives of martyrs, civil and military officers and other guests.
BAHAWALPUR: A large number of families turned up on Sunday at an exhibition of armaments organised in the cantonment to mark 50th anniversary of the 1965 war between India and Pakistan.
The exhibition, inaugurated by Corps Commander Lt Gen Javed Iqbal, was opened for public after 1pm. It attracted a large number of people, including women and children. Visitors were also informed about functioning of each weapon displayed at the exhibition.
Earlier, Lt Gen Iqbal laid a floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument at a ceremony in the cantonment and offered fateha. He was joined by personnel of army, civil and police bureaucracy, relatives and families of slain soldiers, students and the media.
This was followed by laying of wreaths at the monument by families of the martyrs. Each of the relatives was given a floral wreath by an army contingent.
The corps commander in his address paid tribute to all those who laid their lives for the country from 1945 to 2015 as well as their families.
Students from various schools, colleges and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur presented national songs.
SARGODHA: The Pakistan army has been fighting terrorism for the last 13 years and succeeded to combat this menace with the active support of public, says Station Commander Brig Sajid Akram.
At a flag-hoisting ceremony to commemorate the 1965 war, he said: “We have restored peace in Fata and now fight is going on in Shawal.”
He paid a tribute to the police, Rangers and all law-enforcement agencies for making Pakistan peaceful.
Earlier, the TMA administrator presented welcome address and highlighted the bravery of citizens of Sargodha who had been honoured in recognition of their support against Indian aggression and support for the armed forces during the war.
The commissioner inaugurated an exhibition of photographs depicting war scenes.
GUJRANWALA: The Defence Day was observed with enthusiasm at Gujranwala Cantt on Sunday.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Yadgar-i-Shuhada (Nishan-e-Manzil) to pay homage to the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces personnel during the 1965 war.
Gujranwala Corps Commander Lt Gen Ghayur Mahmood laid floral wreaths at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada and offered prayers for the martyrs.
A contingent of soldiers presented salute to pay homage to sacrifices rendered by the soldiers during the war against India and miscreants in different parts of country.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Mahmood said the army was committed to defend the country at all costs. He said Defence Day marked the resolve, will and determination of the army and the people.
Martyrs’ families, war veterans and serving/ army men were present.
KASUR: Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said the rulers ought to press India to grant right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir.
Talking to a huge gathering of people on Defence Day, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had confessed during his visit to Bangladesh that India hatched a conspiracy to disintegrate Pakistan. He said India would get a befitting response to any aggression.
The party workers and police ensured security arrangements.
Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015
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