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ISLAMABAD: The president, senior politicians and the army chief have paid tribute to the police officers and jawans killed in the line of duty.
In their messages on Sunday, which was observed across the country as Youm-i-Shuhada (Martyrs Day), they said the nation was indebted to the martyred personnel for offering the supreme sacrifice to protect others.
The day is commemorated each year on Aug 4, which is the death anniversary of Frontier Constabulary’s inspector general, Safwat Ghayyur, who was martyred in a suicide attack in 2010.
In his statement, President Dr Arif Alvi said: “Despite a difficult situation and limited resources, police have played an exemplary role in the establishment of peace and protecting the lives of people.”
In a message released by the Inter-Services Public Relations, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said: “Salute to martyrs of Pakistan Police and their families on Police Martyrs Day ... Pakistan Police has made phenomenal contributions alongside other security forces in counterterrorism operations.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shahbaz Sharif said the police officers’ sacrifices in the fight against terrorism made it possible for the people to lead a secure and normal life.
“Every single policeman is a hero everyday for putting their lives in harm’s way for the protection of their countrymen,” he added.
In Larkana, Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari laid a wreath at the monument to martyrs at the Police Training School. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other party leaders were present on the occasion.
During an event held at the Police Line Headquarters in Islamabad, Inspector General of Police Mohammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan said that like their compatriots elsewhere in the country police in the federal capital had added a golden chapter to their history that was written with blood of their martyrs.
While laying a wreath at the Police Martyrs’ Monument, he recalled that as many as 42 police officers and jawans had embraced martyrdom in the line of duty in the capital alone.
In Lahore, the Punjab Police held a special rally outside the Alhamra Hall on The Mall.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Inspector General of Police retired Capt Arif Nawaz Khan, Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, senior police officers, representatives of the civil society and family members of the martyrs attended the event.
On the occasion, IGP Khan said 1,492 police officers and jawans had embraced martyrdom while protecting the lives and property of the public.
Addressing a ceremony at the FC Fort in Shabqadar, Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary Moazzam Jah Ansari said that due to the matchless sacrifices rendered by the brave personnel of the force the country is heading for normalcy.
In Peshawar, city police chief Mohammad Karim Khan and other officials attended a guard of honour at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada, located in the Malik Saad Shaheed police lines.
The main event of the day was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, police chief Dr Mohammad Naeem Khan, Peshawar Corps Commander Shaheen Mazhar Mahmood and other senior officials.
The Sindh Police organised a programme at the Expo Centre, Karachi, to pay homage to the martyred personnel and express solidarity with their families.
Senior officers also laid wreaths on the graves of the martyred officers and jawans. According to a spokesperson, a total of 2,268 personnel have laid down their lives in the line of duty since 1971.
Speaking at a special event in the Police Lines, Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani said: “Today we are living in peace and this is only because of the sacrifices of police and other security personnel, who did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives to restore peace in the province.”
He said his government was keen to provide good education and healthcare to the family members of the martyred personnel.
Governor retired Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai was the chief guest on the occasion. Inspector General of Frontier Corps Maj Gen Fayyaz Hussain Shah, Additional Chief Secretary Haider Ali Sheko and IGP Mohsin Hassan Butt also attended the ceremony.
Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2019
