Pakistan observed its 61st Defence and Martyrs’ Day on September 6th, commemorating the 1965 war with India. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari underscored Pakistan’s increasing importance in regional security during the observance. The day began with gun salutes in Islamabad and provincial capitals, alongside a guard changing ceremony at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi. The 1965 war was initiated by an Indian attack across the international border and concluded with a ceasefire on September 22nd, followed by peace negotiations in Tashkent facilitated by the Soviet Union on January 10, 1966. During the conflict, Pakistan occupied 1617 square miles of territory while India occupied 446 square miles of Pakistan’s territory. Prime Minister Sharif honored the sacrifices of the armed forces and their families, emphasizing the nation's resolve and unity in defending Pakistan’s sovereignty and independence.