6th September 1965, our brave and noble Armed Forces sacrificed their lives, becoming shaheed for Pakistan as they fought and bravely endangered themselves to protect the helpless in this country. Defence Day is always an emotional time in Pakistan as we commemorate the Army, Navy, Airforce and all the forces who are the reason our nation is safe.

On this day, we have chosen 6 patriotic shows and series to mark the special and emotional occasion!

NISHAN E HAIDER SERIES

Back in the 1980s, Pakistan Television aired a few long plays in the Nishan e Haider series that revolved around the lives and martyrdom of three of our top soldiers – Captain Raja Mohammad Sarwar Shaheed, Major Tufail Mohammad Shaheed, and Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed. One more long play was added to the series in the late 90s when Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed’s sacrifice was paid a rich tribute. Although many have tried to recreate the magic of Nishan e Haider plays since but none have been able to deliver something as strong and classy as the original plays. While Saleem Nasir played the role of Major Raja Sarwar Shaheed, character actor Zille Subhan portrayed Major Tufail Mohammad Shaheed; Pilot Officer Farooq Iqbal played Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas on the screen whereas Current Affairs show host Nasir Sherazi was selected to play Major Raja Aziz Bhatti because he resembled the Muhafiz-e-Lahore.

SUNHEREY DIN

Airing on PTV in the 1990s, Sunherey Din is a Shoaib Mansoor and Mohsin Ali project, already setting the stakes high with expections...which delivered in bulk! The show is based on a determined Saleem Sheikh joining the army, and all the story entails with cadet training and the atmosphere itself, rich with discipline. With strong bonds of friendship featured, along with humour, lighthearted banter and of course, impassioned patriotism, this drama is a must-watch, honouring the arm-forces and all they encounter for the Nation.

WILCO

Produced by ISPR and 7th Sky Entertainment, Aehsun Talish's directorial Wilco is a nod to the armed forces with an action packed story and cast to match. Humayun Saeed, Laila Zuberi, Adnan Siddiqui, Aamina Sheikh, Imran Ababs and Zainab Qayyum are some memorable names in the cast. With the army being shown not only as a protection for Pakistan, but the aide it needs during times of disaster and turmoil, the beacon of hope. The show features moments ranging from light to heavy, with Humayun Saeed's chatacter's fate being painfully reflective of the struggles our forces experience.

ALPHA BRAVO CHARLIE

An ISPR and Shoaib Mansoor project, Alpha Bravo Charlie is a true patriotic drama which highlights the friendship between Faraz (Faraz Inam), Gulsher (Capt. Qasim Khan) and Kashif (Captain Abdullah Mehmood). Arguably the drama is to date, some of Shoaib Mansoor's most memorable and best work, awakening a deep sense of love, respect and honour for the armed forces. With the different individual experiences of these 3 soldiers, the show is bound to illicit an emotional response from the viewer with its heartbreaking and powerful tale.

SIPAHI MAQBOOL HUSSAIN

A name which is remembered throughout history with immense grief, as a brave soldier suffered intolerable ordeals, only to come out as a hero, forever respected by Pakistan for his trials, tribulations and bravery. Sipahi Maqbool Hussain is a namesake, based on the torture and imprisonment of our soldier, which caused both fury and grief amongst the people after he was held prisoner for four decades in India. A collaboration of ISPR and Interflow Communication, the drama depicts the life of Sipahi Maqbool Hussain, who disappeared from the Azad Kashmir regiment during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India. In the end of the drama, the real Sipahi Maqbool Hussain was given a VIP suite by Ex-President Pervez Musharraf, and commemorated by the army, for his courage despite excruciating conditions.

KHUDA ZAMEEN SE GAYA NAHI HAI

A CRS Project aired on both PTV and HUMTV, the show focuses on how the armed forces counter terrorism and keep enemies at bay with their heroic courage. Some of the main actors are Ayub Khosa (Khaista Gul), Noman Ejaz (Zargul), Sara Chaudhry (Palwasha), Rasheed Naz (Rahman Gul), Syed Jibran (Captain Asfandyar), who only contribute to the powerful storytelling and scenes which awaken the patriot in all of us lest we forget. It is always commendable to appreciate the persistent efforts of our armed forces, who always do the utmost to counter threats and protect Pakistan.

These dramas simply highlight the pride we have, as well as the respect and love we owe to our armed forces, who always manage to invoke a deep sense of patriotism and emotional stir in us as we celebrate them on this day.