rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), Sept. 7: A dignified ceremony was held at Quaid-e-Azam International Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday night to commemorate Pakistan Defence Day, with participants expressing strong patriotic spirit and reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding the motherland.
Organized by the district administration, the event was attended by government officials, department heads, senior journalists, civil society representatives, traders, university students, teachers and citizens from different walks of life.
Participants paid rich tribute to the martyrs and Ghazis of Pakistan’s armed forces for their sacrifices in defence of the country. National and folk songs, along with speech competitions, were organized during the ceremony. Students and performers received enthusiastic applause from the audience for their presentations.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Mirpur Chaudhry Sajid Aslam and DIG Mirpur Region Kamran Ali visited stalls established by various government departments and institutions at the stadium. They reviewed the displays and received briefings about departmental services and public awareness initiatives. The officials appreciated the efforts made to organize the stalls.
The ceremony was also attended by City Mayor Usman Khalid Chaudhry, SSP Mirpur Khurram Iqbal, District Health Officer Fida Hussain Raja, Principal Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College Dr Faisal Bashir, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Raja Shiraz Ahmed, District Information Officer Khizar Hayat, Tehsildar Imran Yousaf and other notables.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Sajid Aslam described September 6 as an unforgettable day in Pakistan’s history. He recalled the sacrifices of the martyrs and Ghazis during the 1965 war and said the Pakistani nation had stood united with its armed forces, demonstrating courage, discipline and patriotism.
He said Defence Day conveyed a message of national unity and collective responsibility for protecting Pakistan’s security and sovereignty. The sacrifices of the martyrs, he added, should inspire citizens to perform their responsibilities honestly and contribute to the country’s development, stability and prosperity.
The deputy commissioner emphasized the importance of educating young people about Pakistan’s history, national heroes and sacrifices made for the homeland. He said such events help strengthen patriotism, national awareness and a spirit of national service among the younger generation.
Participants waved national flags and joined in national songs, expressing solidarity with the armed forces and remembering the martyrs of Sept. 6, 1965.
The ceremony concluded with a special prayer for Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, seeking security, stability, prosperity and development.
