{
  "id": 5900623,
  "title": "PM, president highlight Pakistan's growing role in regional security as nation observes Defence Day",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/pm-president-highlight-pakistans-growing-role-in-regional-security-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T03:54:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2027870/pm-president-highlight-pakistans-growing-role-in-regional-security-as-nation-observes-defence-day"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nDefence 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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nSharif 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.",
  "summary": "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s growing role in regional security on Sunday as the nation observed on 61st Defence and Martyrs’ Day. The day began with thirty-one gun salute in Islamabad and twenty-one gun salute at provincial capitals, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. A change of guards was also held at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "Pakistan's leaders are positioning the country as a key player in regional security, seeking international recognition of its stabilising role and pressing for a Kashmir resolution in line with UN resolutions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Pakistan will remain significant security concern for times to come: Former CDS Gen Anil Chauhan (retd)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/pakistan-will-remain-significant-security-concern-for-times-to-come",
        "published": "2026-09-05T22:59:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "PM, president highlight Pakistan's growing role in regional security as nation observes Defence Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/pm-president-highlight-pakistans-growing-role-in-regional-security-as-5901035",
        "published": "2026-09-06T03:54:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Hesson clarifies he had no role in selecting Pakistan’s Test squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/hesson-clarifies-he-had-no-role-in-selecting-pakistans-test-squad",
        "published": "2026-09-06T05:22:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}