Defence Day must inspire not only martial pride but also civic responsibility
Each year on September 6, Pakistan observes Defence Day — a date etched into the nation’s memory as a symbol of courage, sacrifice and unity. It recalls the events of 1965, when resolve and resilience became as decisive as weaponry in safeguarding the homeland. Those who stood firm that day defended not only territory but also the promise of a young state still defining its destiny. Yet Defence Day is more than remembrance; it is an enduring question of what it means to defend a nation today.
The events of May 2025, when Pakistan outmaneuvered a much larger adversary, have cast fresh light on this question. In that moment, strategy and discipline outshone mere numbers, elevating the standing of Pakistan’s armed forces and reshaping the country’s profile abroad. Western capitals — so often accustomed to viewing Pakistan through the lens of instability — were compelled to acknowledge its capacity for restraint, tactical brilliance and calculated resolve. The lesson was unmistakable: nations are secured not by size alone, but by clarity of vision and unity of purpose.
Yet, to confine Defence Day to martial triumph is to diminish its meaning. True defence, in the 21st century, extends far beyond barracks and borders. It resides in classrooms where teachers cultivate critical thought, in hospitals where doctors persevere despite scarcity, in courtrooms where judges uphold justice against pressure, and in offices where officials resist corruption. The student striving for excellence, the researcher advancing knowledge, the citizen choosing integrity over expedience — all participate in acts of defence. They safeguard the dignity, justice and self-reliance for which countless martyrs laid down their lives.
This broader conception of defence leads to a sobering reflection. Have we, as a society, internalised the values symbolised by September 6? Unity, discipline and sacrifice are easy to celebrate in rhetoric but harder to embody in daily life. A state cannot forever lean solely on its soldiers; enduring strength arises from strong institutions, an informed citizenry, and a collective willingness to privilege the common good above personal gain. Every refusal to surrender to corruption, every investment in education or innovation, every act of civic responsibility is a defence no less vital than standing sentinel on a border.
For Pakistan’s youth in particular, Defence Day must not be confined to parades or nostalgic retellings. It should serve as an invitation to redefine patriotism in constructive terms: not empty slogans, but excellence in study, innovation in technology, service in communities, and integrity in conduct. In a world where nations are measured as much by their knowledge economies and social resilience as by their military arsenals, defence must be reconceived as a whole-of-society endeavour.
The challenge, therefore, lies in extending the spirit of Defence Day beyond ceremonial remembrance. Commemoration without introspection risks turning memory into ritual. If the sacrifices of 1965 and beyond are to have lasting meaning, they must provoke uncomfortable questions: Are we building institutions worthy of protection? Are we investing in education, healthcare and governance with the seriousness they demand? Are we fostering unity that transcends the fractures of class, ethnicity and sect?
Defence Day, in this sense, is both a celebration and a mirror. It celebrates the courage of those who defended Pakistan against overwhelming odds, while reflecting back to us the duties we must embrace to keep that Pakistan strong. The martyrs cannot be repaid with speeches or symbols alone. The real tribute lies in living their values — resilience in adversity, discipline in conduct, and unity in purpose.
To defend Pakistan today is to guard not only its borders but also its promise: a promise of dignity, justice and self-reliance. The answer to whether we are prepared to uphold that promise will determine whether the sacrifices of yesterday can truly shape the Pakistan of tomorrow.
