A dignified guard mounting ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Defence and Martyrs Day, where a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Asghar Khan assumed ceremonial duties to honour the founding father and pay tribute to the nation’s martyrs.
Air Vice Marshal Shehryar Khan, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum, inscribed his remarks in the visitors’ book, and reviewed the guard of honour presented by the PAF contingent.
In his address, Air Vice Marshal Shehryar Khan said the Pakistan Air Force had always lived up to the nation’s expectations and would continue to stand as a wall of steel in defence of the motherland. “We stand prepared on every front, and the next time, the score will not be 0-6 but 0-60,” he remarked, underscoring the PAF’s combat readiness.
He said the enemy had always been humbled and would again be given a crushing response in case of aggression. Recalling September 6, 1965, he said the day symbolised the nation’s resolve to thwart hostile designs. “Operation Bunyān al-Marsūs revived the spirit of September 6, reminding us of the day when our forces crushed the nefarious ambitions of the adversary,” he observed.
The Air Vice Marshal added that assuming the command of the guard at the mausoleum was an honour. He stressed that the guard mounting was not a mere ritual but a reaffirmation of Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of unity. “We are custodians of the Quaid’s ideals and stand ready to defeat the enemy on every front,” he said.
Highlighting the role of the Air Force beyond the battlefield, he said the PAF had always been at the forefront during natural disasters and rescue operations. He reaffirmed that defending every inch of Pakistan’s territory remained the responsibility of the Air Force, adding that under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Babar Sidhu, the PAF had undergone significant modernisation.
“The entire nation takes pride in the achievements of its Armed Forces, and I assure you that the defence of Pakistan’s aerial frontiers remains in the strongest hands,” he said.
On the occasion, the Commanding Officer also paid homage to the martyrs, saying that their sacrifices had turned Pakistan into a cradle of peace. “We salute the parents who offered their children for the defence of the country. Every attempt against the soil of Pakistan will be thwarted,” he affirmed.
Across the country, Defence and Martyrs Day was observed with solemnity and national fervour. The day commenced with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered after Fajr prayers in mosques for the security, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan.
It may be recalled that in the war fought earlier this May, the Armed Forces of Pakistan not only downed multiple Rafale and other advanced Indian fighter jets but also destroyed several airfields, shattering India’s military pride.
