The Pakistan Air Force observed September 7th as Martyrs’ Day at all PAF Bases throughout the country.
In a tweet on the occasion Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday paid tribute to the pilots of the Pakistan Air Force for rendering immense sacrifices in the 1965 war and defending the country’s aerial frontiers.
“The defenders of the country’s aerial frontiers always proved that any malice shown by the enemy would be thwarted effectively,” he said in a tweet on PAF Day.
PM Sharif said Pakistanis were grateful to Squadron Leader Sarfraz Rafiqui, Flight Lieutenant Younas Hassan, Flying Officer Muhammad Afzal, Squadron Leader Muniruddin, and all martyrs of the PAF.
“With their great sacrifices, these heroes crushed the nefarious designs of the four times bigger enemy,” he said.
The day started with special Du’aa and Quran Khawani for the Shuhada of 1965 & 1971 Wars and those who laid down their lives in action since the creation of Pakistan.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the Chief Guest during a Martyrs’ Day Ceremony held at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Addressing on the occasion, the Air Chief said that PAF has proud history of sacrifice, valour and professionalism. Brave sons of the soil have always responded to nation’s call and marked glories with their blood during 1948, 1965 & 1971 Wars, Ops Sentinel and Operation Swift Retort. Pakistan Air Force has evolved due to great legacy of our forefathers and we are striving hard for the advancement in space, electronic warfare, cyber, niche technologies and indigenous defence capability to ensure our sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Air Chief appreciated the efforts of PAF personnel for relief and rescue operations during the recent floods. He further expressed solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their indigenous and just struggle for self-determination. To pay homage to the martyrs, the Air Chief laid floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument and offered “Fateha”. Principal Staff Officers, Officers, Airmen and PAF Civilians attended the ceremony.
Earlier in the day, a wreath laying ceremony was also held at the grave of Pilot Officer Rashid MinhasShaheed, (Nishan-i-Haider) at Karachi. Air Vice Marshal ZaeemAfzal, Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command, offered ‘Fateha’ and laid floral wreath at the grave of the Shaheed on behalf of Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.
