Pakistan observes Defence Day with national spirit

Pakistani nation observed 48th Defense Day Friday to pay homage to the martyrs of Pakistan army who sacrificed their lives for the defense and sovereignty of the country. Various functions were held in the whole day across the country to mark the day when the country\'s army fought and succeeded in war against India in 1965 on Lahore, Sialkot and other borders. The Defense Day celebrations began with the change of guard ceremonies held at the mausoleums of the country\'s Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi and national poet Allama Iqbal in Lahore. Senior Army and Navy officials laid wreaths on the graves of the national leaders. Floral wreaths were also laid at the memorials of nine great martyrs who were awarded with the greatest military award \"Nishan- e-Haider\" and other martyrs of 1965 war to pay homage to them. Various functions were held in schools and colleges where students sang national songs to pay tribute to the country\'s armed forces that are providing defense to them. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif greeted the nation on the Defense Day and said in his message that the entire nation stands alongside the armed forces to thwart all evil designs of enemies of Pakistan. He said that the Defense Day helps the nation in reinvigorating the spirit of patriotism as the country is facing multiple security challenges in shape of extremism terrorism and external aggression. President Asif Ali Zardari said in his message that the Defense Day gives an abiding lesson to the nation that no aggression can succeed as long as the people are united fighting for the cause and brave soldiers are standing ready to guard frontiers and shed blood for it. The Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said in his Defense Day message that September 6 signifies a milestone in the history of the motherland, when Pakistani soldiers wrote a new history of bravery and sacrifice by defending the country against the aggression of an army much larger in size and number.