AJK marks Defence Day with patriotic fervour and national pride

Azad Jammu and Kashmir observed Defence Day on Sunday with ceremonies, patriotic events and a renewed pledge to stand united in Pakistan's defence. Across the region, officials and residents paid tribute to soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the country.

A defence and cultural exhibition at Narul Cricket Stadium in Muzaffarabad brought together civil and military officials, students and citizens. Acting AJK President Chaudhry Tariq Farooq and Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani inaugurated the event, which presented the capabilities and public contributions of defence, emergency-response and government institutions.

Visitors toured stalls run by the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Boy Scouts, police, Rescue 1122, the Special Communications Organisation, Civil Defence and the State Disaster Management Authority. The displays covered national defence, communications, disaster management, emergency response and public services.

The exhibition also presented cultural traditions from Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK. National songs, regional music, traditional games and displays of regional clothing formed part of the programme. Dignitaries received traditional headgear, including Sindhi caps, Balochi turbans, the Gilgit-Baltistan cap and Punjabi turbans, in a gesture of national unity.

Rescue 1122 personnel staged a practical demonstration showing how they respond to accidents and other emergencies. Government departments also displayed initiatives covering tourism, forests, agriculture, vocational education, minerals, wildlife, medical services and women's development.