Karachi: A change of guards ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Quaid Karachi on the occasion of Pakistan’s Defence and Martyrs’ Day, where cadets from Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan took over the responsibility of the guards of honour.
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Faisal attended the ceremony as the chief guest. He visited Mazar-e-Quaid and laid wreaths at the final resting place of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Pakistan Air Force cadets took part in the parade on this occasion and assumed their duties at the Mazar-e-Quaid. This ceremony is held every year on September 6 as part of the main programmes of Defence Day.
This ceremony at the Mazar-e-Quaid is not limited to just the changing of the guards. Through it, tributes are paid to the founder of Pakistan on an important day in national history, and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the defence of the homeland are remembered.
Pakistan is observing Defence and Martyrs Day today. Various events have been organised across the country to pay tribute to the martyrs and ghazis on this occasion.
The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were also offered for the security, development and prosperity of the country after the Fajr prayers.
September 6, 1965, holds an important place in Pakistan’s military history. On this day, Indian forces crossed the international border, after which the war began.
Defence Day is observed every year to commemorate the resistance and sacrifices of the armed forces and the people during this war. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have also paid tribute to the martyrs, ghazis and their families on this occasion.
The changing guards ceremony at Mazar-e-Quaid is an important activity in this national remembrance series. The tradition of changing of guards on this occasion has made the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan a prominent centre of Defence Day celebrations.
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