Country's leadership pays tribute to PAF martyrs on Air Force Day

On Monday, Pakistan's political and military leaders paid tribute to the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) martyrs and acknowledged the force's crucial role in defending the nation as the country commemorated Air Force Day. The Martyrs' Day ceremony took place at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad, where Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu honored the PAF personnel who had made the "ultimate sacrifice" since Pakistan's independence.

Sidhu emphasized that the PAF martyrs were enduring symbols of courage, sacrifice, and national resolve, and their legacy served as a reminder that defending the motherland was a sacred duty that the country's present generation would uphold with unwavering commitment.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the PAF for its successful defense against an adversary during the May 2025 conflict with India, crediting the force's "bold leadership, tactical brilliance of combat crew, excellent planning, and well-orchestrated employment of Multi-Domain Warfare Capabilities." He further paid homage to the PAF personnel who had perished in the line of duty, highlighting the force's rich history of sacrifice, valour, and professionalism.

The prime minister expressed confidence that the PAF would continue to rise to any occasion to safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty and airspace.

President Asif Ali Zardari also paid tribute to the PAF personnel for their service and sacrifices, noting the force's outstanding performance and its role in aerial conflicts over the decades. He praised the PAF for its professional capability, prowess, and dominance, attributing these achievements to a comprehensive strategy of modernisation and indigenisation.

The president expressed pride in the PAF's continued upholding of the glorious legacy of fighting outnumbered adversaries, emphasizing that no power could undermine the nation's will and resolve.