Pakistan marks Defence Day

The significance of September 6 lies in the fact that on this day in 1965 the people of Pakistan from all provinces and all walks of life joined hands in standing behind the armed forces to face a serious threat to the country, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said issuing a message to mark Pakistan Defence Day.

Asif Ali Zardari

The message said: The unprecedented national unity demonstrated on the day has made it a memorable day in Pakistan national calendar.

"The day is a reminder how the people and the armed forces together can conquer aggression and overcome any challenge to the country. "On this day we salute the people for their unprecedented unity, the armed forces for their valour and courage to defend the country and pay homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives in defending the country.

"The need to imbibe the spirit of September 6 this year is even greater as the country is confronted with a new and far more serious challenge to its existence from the militants, extremists and fanatics.

"Let us therefore commemorate September 6 this year by paying homage to the great sons and daughters of the nation who laid down their lives in the defense of the motherland. Let us also reiterate our resolve to demonstrate the spirit of September 1965 in meeting the new challenges to the country.

"Our people and armed forces have offered unprecedented sacrifices in the war against militancy.

No other nation has paid such a heavy price as the people of Pakistan in fighting the militants and to safeguard their right to live in accordance with the democratic values for which Pakistan was created."