ISLAMABAD: Marking the country’s 53rd Defense Day, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and seeks friendly relations with all its neighbors.
He added that, while the Defense Day has become a potent symbol of national unity and solidarity over the years, this year is different. “This year is quite unique because the armed forces of Pakistan have stood out in [terms of] achievements in the war against terrorism,” the prime minister said in his message.
The day began with special prayers at mosques across the country. A number of events -- to pay homage to Pakistan’s armed forces and its martyrs -- are also scheduled to take place, with pictures of soldiers who lost their lives at battle already on display at prominent public places.
Pakistan has been preparing to celebrate the occasion for the past several weeks, with the army’s public relations wing and the Pakistan Air Force releasing videos to highlight future plans and commemorate soldiers.
The prime minister, in his message, also urged the international community to take notice of what he described as Indian aggression in Kashmir, highlighting the significance of resolving the protracted dispute between the two South Asian nuclear powers for greater regional stability.
The Defense Day marks the date when Indian armed forces crossed the international border to attack Pakistan in 1965.
