ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the armed forces and the nation were united to meet any eventuality and challenge confronting the country.

Addressing a ceremony to mark Defence Day, at the Martyrs Monu­ment in Shakarparian the prime minister said spirit of sacrifice and resilience shown during the 1965 war was required to cope with destruction caused by floods.

Terming the floods “unprecedented catastrophe,” the premier added that the citizens and armed forces are united in coping with the challenge.

The prime minister termed unity as the greatest strength of the nation as over 30 million people were facing immense hardship and financial losses due to floods.

Recalling the war, the prime minister said the armed forces and the people had thwarted India’s machinations to undermine the national integrity.

He also offered fateha and paid tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the safety and security of the nation.

Speaking to the media, Mr Sharif hailed the sacrifices of Maj Aziz Bhatti, Maj Shabbir Sharif, Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Rafiqui, Maj Muhammad Ziauddin Uppal and others who had sacrificed their lives during the war.

“The whole nation comes together today in paying homage to our martyrs and Ghazis who put their lives on the line to defend the motherland against Indian aggression. Together our armed forces and people thwarted the Indian machinations to undermine our territorial integrity,” the PM said later in a tweet.

This year’s Defence Day was commemorated with a simple ceremony as the regular ceremony was called off due to the devastation caused by floods.

In a separate development, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has made a donation of Rs70 million to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Minister for Maritime Affairs Faisal Sabzwari presented the cheques to the prime minister during a meeting.

Port Qasim Authority has donated Rs50m while Karachi Port Trust donated Rs20m to the fund.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2022