ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has paid rich tribute to the martyrs and lauded their sacrifices for defence of the motherland.

Addressing a ceremony held in connection with Defence and Martyrs Day at National Monument here at Shakarparian in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said martyrs sacrificed their lives for the sake of Allah Almighty by defending the nation and the country and they always live in hearts.

He said today, the only way to pay homage to the martyrs is to respect them and their families as they cannot be forgotten. The Prime Minister also laid floral wreath at the monument in recognition of the services and to pay homage to the martyrs and Ghazis and offered fateha for high status to the martyrs in the heaven.

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi was also present on the occasion. Earlier, in his message on the Defence and Martyrs’ Day, the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said the 6th September is remembered as the day of vigor, bravery, courage and resilience.

He said this glorious day, where the entire Pakistani nation stood side by side with its Armed Forces, calls upon us to make a pledge to renew the spirit of loyalty and service to Pakistan and pay tribute to valiant sons of the soil who embraced ‘Shahadat’ while ensuring security of the nation.

The Prime Minister said the defence of the country is not limited to 6 September alone, rather stretches upon an entire lifetime and encompasses all dimensions of physical and ideological frontiers, which needs to be guarded.

He said today, when Pakistan is confronted with multiple security challenges in the shape of extremism, terrorism and external aggression, the entire nation stands united alongside their Defence Forces, to thwart evil designs against the integrity and prosperity of Pakistan.