Defence Day was celebrated in various parts of the country, including the federal capital, Gujar Khan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where heartfelt tributes were paid to the martyrs and veterans of the Pakistan Armed Forces, with participants commending their courage, professionalism, and sacrifices in defending Pakistan’s sovereignty.
A contingent of the Pakistan Army offered a guard of honour at the grave of Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed, Nishan-i-Haider, in his native village of Dhoke Shah Sawar near Gujar Khan on Sunday morning. Major General Ummar Maqbool led the guard of honour at the mausoleum of the hero of the 1971 war and laid a floral wreath on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The ceremony was also attended by Raja Jawaid Ikhlas, former parliamentary secretary and MNA from Gujar Khan, Raja Hameed Saleem, and a large number of social and political figures, including students from various schools.
Mr Ikhlas, while addressing the occasion, said the great sacrifices of war heroes like Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed would always be remembered by coming generations.
Meanwhile, a similar guard of honour ceremony was also held at the memorial of Captain Sarwar Shaheed, Nishan-i-Haider, in Sanghoi, the native village of the 1948 war hero.
A grand ceremony was also held at the memorial of Major Mohammad Akram Shaheed, Nishan-i-Haider, the hero of the 1971 war, where tributes were paid to the martyr’s unparalleled courage, bravery, and eternal sacrifice in defence of the country.
PAF martyrs, veterans remembered
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paid heartfelt tribute to the martyrs and veterans of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
In his message on the occasion of Air Force Day, Mr Sadiq said the PAF’s performance during the 1965 war, despite limited resources, was a proud chapter of national history.
He paid tribute to Air Marshal Noor Khan for his exemplary leadership and to MM Alam for his extraordinary courage and remarkable performance in aerial combat. He said the sacrifices rendered by PAF personnel during the war continued to inspire generations.
Referring to the May 2025 Marka-i-Haq, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the PAF had once again demonstrated exceptional professionalism, operational preparedness and effective use of modern technology in responding to Indian aggression.
From the Shaheens of 1965 to the defenders of Marka-i-Haq, he added, the PAF’s history was a testament to courage, sacrifice and devotion to the motherland.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Defence Day was observed across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with rallies, exhibitions and other events, as participants paid tribute to the martyrs and veterans of the 1965 war and expressed solidarity with the armed forces.
In Muzaffarabad, Acting AJK President Chaudhry Tariq Farooq and Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani inaugurated a defence exhibition at Narul Stadium and inspected various stalls.
The exhibition featured stalls set up by the Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy, Boy Scouts, police, Rescue 1122, Special Communications Organisation (SCO), Civil Defence and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Chief Secretary Khushal Khan, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Chinar Division Maj-Gen Zarrar Mehmood and other senior civil and military officials were also present.
Cultural stalls representing Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK were also set up, while national songs, cultural performances and traditional sports were presented. Rescue 1122 personnel conducted a practical demonstration of emergency response and rescue operations.
During the visit, the acting president, prime minister, chief secretary and GOC Chinar Division were presented with traditional headgear, including Sindhi and Gilgit-Baltistan caps and Balochi and Punjabi turbans.
In Mirpur, the district administration organised an exhibition at Quaid-i-Azam Stadium, attended by a large number of citizens, students, and people from different walks of life.
Stalls by the Kashmir Liberation Cell and the agriculture, health, Civil Defence, SDMA, forests, highways, police, universities, food, TEVTA, IT, fisheries and tourism departments were among those set up at the exhibition.
A police stall showcasing its equipment and public service functions attracted particular interest, while Civil Defence and SDMA displayed emergency-response equipment and provided information about safety measures. The tourism stall highlighted AJK’s tourist destinations and tourism potential.
Similar events were held at district and tehsil headquarters in other parts of the territory, involving government departments, civil society, students, traders and people from different walks of life.
Reference Link:- https://www.dawn.com/news/2028001