Despite threats, Pakistan goes on with ceremony at Wagah

Published November 3, 2014
Punjab Rangers (in Black) and Indian Border Security Force personnel (in Brown) perform the 'flag off' ceremony at the Pakistan-India Wagah Border Post. — AFP/File
Punjab Rangers (in Black) and Indian Border Security Force personnel (in Brown) perform the 'flag off' ceremony at the Pakistan-India Wagah Border Post. — AFP/File

LAHORE: Not only a day had passed to the carnage that claimed at least 60 lives in a suicide blast at Wagah that Punjab Rangers went on with the routine flag-lowering ceremony at the border between Pakistan and India.

The ceremony came as the Punjab Rangers decided to continue with the flag-lowering ceremony at the border despite Sunday's attack that left a pall of gloom across the country.

The decision came at a time when rumours were floating in political and media circles that the ceremony had been postponed for at least a period of three days and according to some until the situation normalised.

With chants of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’ in the background, people came to attend the ceremony in large numbers, leaving a clear and sound message to the attackers that the country was standing tall and brave and could by no means be weakened.

People cheered Punjab Rangers personnel during the ceremony and kept on with slogans of ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan' (long live Pakistan).

Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Naveed Zaman said, "No one can take away passion and bravery possessed by Pakistanis."

Pakistan army also extended its praise to the Punjab Rangers for holding the flag lowering ceremony despite looming threats.

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