Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Ahsan Azhar Hayat inaugurated "Pakistan Chowk" in Pano Aqil Garrison on Defence Day. According to ISPR press release here on Saturday, Major General Mumtaz Ahmed Bajwa and Major General Rashid Javed, General Officers Commanding and a large number of officers and men were present.
Speaking to officers and men at Pano Aqil Garrison, the Corps Commander said Pakistan Army gave a befitting reply in a war, which was thrust on Pakistan, bringing the adversary to its knees. He said the nation equally participated in the war alongwith the armed forces. To commemorate that day, September 6 was celebrated, he added.
Lieutenant General Ahsan Azhar Hayat also laid wreath for the martyrs and offered Fateha. Here in Karachi, Pakistan Army joined the nation to celebrate the 43rd Defence Day of Pakistan with a resolve to safeguard the frontiers of the motherland and to live up to the expectations of the nation in testing times.
The day dawned with Quran Khawani for the Shuhada in the unit mosques after Fajr prayers and for the solidarity of Pakistan. Floral wreath was laid at the Mazar-e-Quaid on behalf of the three services. Declamation competitions and seminars were organised to commemorate the courage and valour displayed during the war.
Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at unit and formation level. Special Darbars were held in army units and "Bara Khana" was also arranged for the troops and message of the Chief of the Army Staff was read out to the troops. Cadets of PAF Academy Risalpur took over as the guard at Mazar-e-Quaid.
A grand display of fighter aircraft, weapons and equipment used by Pakistan Air Force was held in the city. A floral wreath was also laid at the grave of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider. Television channels aired programmes to mark the Defence Day and special supplements were published by the newspapers.