Pakistani Nation Celebrated Defence Day as on 6th September 2009

The entire nation along with armed forces Sunday celebrated the Defense Day of Pakistan with renewed pledge to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.

A large number of people belonging to various walks of life attended the ceremonies to pay homage to the brave sons of soil who demonstrated indomitable courage and valor in defense of the motherland.

In the southern city of Karachi, change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the nation.

In the eastern city of Lahore, change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allma Muhammad Iqbal, the poet laureate whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan.

In his message to the nation on Defense Day, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan faces a security threat from the Taliban and all such designs against the country's integrity will be foiled.

"We will eliminate the Taliban and those who have challenged the foundations of the state. Let there be no doubt about it," he said.

Zardari said that the threats from the Taliban and extremists were a challenge for the country and its foundations.

Referring to Sept. 6, Zardari said that the day would always be remembered as a memorable day, adding, "On this day, we salute to the courage and heroism of our forces and pay homage to our martyrs."

In a separate message, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the nation needed to exhibit the spirit of sacrifice of the 1965 war to confront terrorism.

"We will use all our capabilities to its optimum and overcome the challenges we face today," he said.

Gilani said that Pakistan was facing with the threat of terrorism and the entire nation was supporting the armed forces, as they had in 1965.

"Pakistan demands the same spirit of sacrifice and valor which the entire nation and the valiant armed forces had shown during the 1965 war," he said. "The way our gallant officers and men have fought against terrorists is unprecedented."

Gilani said that the country's law enforcing agencies have wiped out the Taliban from Swat and Malakand in the northwest, and also provided invaluable services for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.

"The nation will always remember the sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces," he added.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said that the country's armed forces are well prepared and fully capable in defense of motherland.