Karachi, September 6, 2026 – The Europe Today: A Change of Guard ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi on Sunday to commemorate Defence Day of Pakistan and pay tribute to the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
A smartly turned-out contingent comprising 72 aviation cadets of the Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan assumed guard duties at the mausoleum. Air Vice Marshal Hassan Faisal, Air Officer Commanding, PAF Academy Asghar Khan, attended the ceremony as the chief guest.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and special prayers for the Shuhada who rendered the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the motherland.
The chief guest laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum, offered Fateha and recorded his remarks in the guest book, reaffirming his profound respect for Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s enduring vision and leadership.
Addressing the gathering, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Faisal said September 6 reminded the nation of the historic day when Pakistan’s Armed Forces thwarted the enemy’s designs and defended the homeland with courage and valour.
Paying tribute to the Shuhada, he said the Pakistan Air Force had consistently lived up to the expectations of the resilient people of Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars as well as Marka-e-Haq, making national security its foremost mission.
He described Marka-e-Haq as an unprecedented demonstration of discipline, coordination and the timely integrated employment of all elements, which enabled Pakistan, by the grace of Allah Almighty, to achieve a decisive victory against aggression.
Reaffirming the Pakistan Air Force’s unwavering resolve to defend the country, the Air Officer Commanding said the defence of Pakistan’s airspace remained in the capable hands of the PAF.
He said that under the leadership of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, the PAF had evolved into a Next Generation Air Force. He highlighted advances in emerging technologies, advanced weapon systems, space, cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and information technology, supported by modern infrastructure and multi-domain capabilities, which had further strengthened the force’s operational preparedness.
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Faisal emphasised that while modern technology plays an important role in enhancing defensive capabilities, the PAF’s real strength lies in the courage of its personnel, professional competence, high standards of training and ability to make timely decisions.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, he said the country would never compromise on its sovereignty and dignity.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed pledge to uphold the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and ensure that the defence of the motherland remains impregnable.
