PM, president highlight Pakistan's growing role in regional security as nation observes Defence Day

On the 61st Defence and Martyrs' Day, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari underscored the nation's growing role in regional security. The day commenced with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute at provincial capitals, with a guard change at the Quaid's mausoleum in Karachi.

Defence Day is commemorated annually on September 6 to honor the legacy of the 1965 war, which began when India attacked Pakistan. The conflict ended with a ceasefire on September 22 and a Tashkent agreement in 1966. Pakistan gained 1,617 square miles of territory, while India occupied 446 square miles. The Pakistani Army captured 20 Indian officers, 19 junior officers, and 569 other ranks.

In his Defense Day message, Prime Minister Sharif paid tribute to the armed forces and their families, recalling the exceptional professionalism and courage demonstrated by the Pakistani nation during the war. He also praised the forces' response to India during the 2019 Marka-i-Haq conflict.

Sharif urged the international community to acknowledge Pakistan's role as a stabilizer in regional security and emphasized the need to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN resolutions. He called for a renewed commitment to the principles of faith, unity, and discipline as outlined by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.