Tribute to heroes of 1965 war

LAHORE
Different educational institutes of the provincial metropolis organised events to pay tribute to brave soldiers of Pakistan Army in connection with Defence Day.The participants at these events paid tribute to the soldiers who rendered extremely commendable sacrifices and services for the defence of their motherland, Pakistan.
At the Government College University (GCU), faculty and staff members held an on-campus Solidarity Walk to pay tribute to brave soldiers of Pakistan Army. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah led the walk which began from the university’s Bukhari Auditorium and concluded in front of Clock Tower.
Addressing the participants, Prof Hassan A Shah said Pakistan was a peace-loving nation; it never preferred war, believed in dignity and honour and kept its defence strong to ensure liberty and sovereignty of its people. “It is matter of a great pride for us that GCU is also the alma mater of several brave soldiers, which include Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider,” the Vice-Chancellor said. He paid glowing tributes to thousands of other Pakistani soldiers who remained obscure and devoted their lives to the defence of Pakistan. Prof Shah said the civilians should support their armed forces for defence of the country by performing their duties honestly and justly. He also shared his memories of 1965 war, and the enthusiasm which the nation had at that time.
Earlier, at a ceremony in Bukhari Auditorium, the university faculty and staff observed a one-minute silence in the memory of martyrs of 1965 war. The students of GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society which included Hamza Shahbaz, Acees Arshad, Osama Babar, Zubair Ali, Qasim Ali, Aqib Javed, Ali Haider, Sajjad Ali, Amanat Ali and Taimoor Azmat presented national songs in connection with the Pakistan Defence Day. Meanwhile, the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) observed the Defence Day of Pakistan in a befitting manner on Sunday.
A flag-hoisting ceremony, a walk, a seminar, speeches, national song performances by students and Quran Khawani featured the day. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha led the walk on the campus and chaired a seminar highlighting the sacrifices of armed forces for the defence of the country. The seminar was aimed to make aware the young generation of the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and the people for the defence of the homeland. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor said it was because of the sacrifices of our armed forces that we were safe today. He said that every Pakistani was full of devotion during the 1965 war for the defence of the country.
The UVAS students presented national songs and delivered speeches highlighting the sacrifices of armed forces of Pakistan. Earlier in the morning, Quran Khawani was arranged in the university mosque for the martyrs of 1965 war.
Meanwhile, according to a press release in connection with the 50th anniversary of “Defence Day” of Pakistan and to pay tribute to the martyrs of 1965 war, the university will organise a special ceremony today (Monday).