Defence Day observed: 1965 Pak-India War martyrs paid tribute

LAHORE:The martyrs of the 3rd Baloch Regiment were paid tribute for their sacrifices during the 1965 war at a ceremony held at the Batapur Martyrs Memorial on Friday.

Lt-Gen (retd) Khalid Nawaz and Maj (retd) Syed Zafar Abbas Rizvi, a hero of the 1965 war, attended the solemn ceremony and paid their respects to the martyrs of the September War.

Floral wreaths were laid at the memorial and prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and for the safety and prosperity of the nation. The 3rd Baloch Regiment, under the command of Lt-Col Tajammul Hussain, played a pivotal role in defending the Wagah sector during the 1965 Pakistan-India war. The fearless battalion also destroyed enemy tanks and played a crucial role in securing the Defence of Lahore. Maj Rizvi recounted his experiences from the war and spoke about the indomitable spirit of the nation and the Pakistan Army.

Meanwhile, Corps Commander Lahore Lt-Gen Syed Amir Raza visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal. He laid a wreath at the mausoleum and offered prayers. He also recorded his thoughts in the visitors' book.

Campuses pay homage to heroes of 1965 war

Educational institutions across the provincial metropolis organised several ceremonies in connection with Defence Day of the country here on Friday.

During the Defence Day ceremonies at different educational institutions, the speakers and participants paid befitting tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the defence of the country. Special emphasis was placed on fostering patriotism and unity among the students and the academic community.

The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) celebrated Defence Day with a special ceremony held at the Seminar Hall of the Transportation Engineering and Management Department. Dean Faculty of Civil Engineering Prof Dr Khalid Farooq, other deans, chairpersons, directors, registrar, senior wardens, public relations officer and heads of various teaching and non-teaching departments attended the ceremony. In addition to the formal ceremony, student competitions were also organised to engage the student community in celebrating this important day. The competitions included quizzes, English and Urdu speeches, poems and national songs, centred around the theme of national defence and patriotism

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates and a note of appreciation from the chief guest, encouraging students and faculty alike to continue their contributions towards the progress of the country.

The University of Okara (UO) Directorate of Student Affairs (DSA) also organised a range of activities in connection with the Pakistan Defence Day. The activities included seminar, competitions of speeches and patriotic songs, playing of national anthem and documentaries showcasing the heroics of the Pakistan Army.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Javaid Akhtar presided over the seminar. In his special message, he said, “We are proud of our armed forces for making Pakistan’s defence impregnable. We should support our state institutions and work together for the development of the country”.

Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr M Wajid while addressing to the participants of the ceremony, advised the students to fend off every kind of propaganda against the armed forces. He argued that the morals of our armed forces is key to the survival and progress of the nation. “We should stand by our forces and work hard to make our country prosperous.”

The other speakers of the seminar included Dr Anjum Tahira and Sadim Amin. They paid homage to the martyrs of Pakistan Army. Several students presented patriotic songs and speeches to highlight the sacrifices and achievements of Pak Army in the 1965 war.

Prof Wajid, along with the faculty and administrative officers, also planted saplings at the campus as well.

A Defence Day of Pakistan ceremony was also held at the Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) in the provincial capital in which tributes were paid to the martyrs of 1965 war. The students presented national songs, and children dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms became the centre of attention for the audience.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the PBTE Sahibzada Wasima Umar; Secretary M Adnan; Controller of Examinations Prof Munawar Hussain; Deputy Secretary Ch M Hafeez; System Analyst Syeda Fatima Iqbal; Director of Sports M Sultan Shahid; Audit Officer Ch M Abbas Gujar, along with other officers and board employees.

Secretary PBTE M Adnan and Controller of Examinations Prof Munawar Hussain also addressed the ceremony, paying tribute to the sacrifices of Pak Army martyrs.