PESHAWAR: The people from different walks of life arranged events and took out rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday to mark the Defence and Martyrs Day to commemorate the numerous sacrifices of the security forces for the defence of the motherland, and also to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

This year, the Defence and Martyrs Day, was observed as the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Pakistan Air Force organised a function at the PAF Base in Peshawar wherein Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman was the chief guest. Senior officials, including Air Vice-Marshal Imran Majid and Base Commander Air Commodore Zaeem Afzal were also present.

PAF organises exhibition of defence equipment in Peshawar

The governor paid tributes to the martyrs of armed forces and said the nation saluted to their bravery for laying their lives to protect the solidarity and sovereignty of the country. He said families of the martyred security personnel deserved special status in the society.

Expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people, Shah Farman said India should be mindful of the fact that Kashmir was integral part of Pakistan.

Later, the governor inaugurated an exhibition wherein PAF aircraft, ammunition, latest vehicles and other defence items were displayed. Students from PAF School and College presented national songs.A large number of people, including military and civil officers, women and children, keenly witnessed the PAF’s aircraft and arsenal.

At the conclusion, the PAF also arranged a flying past wherein pilots of JF-17 Thunder, F-16 and Mirage-V presented various flight formations and aerobatic show.

Likewise, the employees of directorate of sports took out a procession from the Qayyum Sports Complex to Saddar Bazaar by holding placards and chanting slogans against Indian forces’ brutalities against Kashmiries.

An event was held at the University of Peshawar, where the participants also held a walk to express solidarity with the families of the martyred soldiers.

The employees of Agriculture University led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Jehan Bakht arranged a walk to commemorate the soldiers’ sacrifices also expressed solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir.

The workers of Peshawar Development Authority organised a function to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

An event was held at the Institute of Education & Research, while a function was arranged by Pakistan Study Center, the University of Peshawar.

Another event was arranged by the district administration in collaboration with Benazir Shaheed Women University.

The personnel of National Highways and Motorways Police arranged events to commemorate the Defence and Martyrs Day.

The tribal youth assembly held an event and expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

The traders of different bazaars took out a rally on Saddar Road to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

All Pakistan Commercial Exporters held a demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club against Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir. They also set on fire effigy of Indian premier Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, similar events were also held in different districts.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and other officials of Pak Army laid floral wreaths at the tomb of Captain Karnal Sher Khan in Swabi and paid tributes to the martyred soldier.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders and workers held a march in Swabi district headquarters led by MPA Aqibullah Khan. A similar march led by MPA Rangaiz Khan was held in Topi Bazaar. Public sector schools and colleges also arranged a rally in support of the Kashmir cause.

The Defense and Martyrs Day was observed in Kohat, Hangu and Darra Adamkhel. Programmes were also held by Hindu and Christian communities.

Pak Army arranged an event at Lt Adnan Shaheed Sports Complex in Tajazai, Lakki Marwat, to mark the Defence and Martyrs Day. The district administration with support of boy scouts association also took out a rally to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

Different events were also held in Batkhela, Buner, Shangla, Charsadda to mark the Defence and Martyrs Day.

General Officer Commanding, Malakand, Maj-Gen Ijaz Ali Mirza on Friday announced that militants returning back from Afghanistan would be pardoned if they willfully surrendered to the government.

He was addressing a function on the occasion of Defense and Martyrs Day at the Dir Scouts Fort.

Earlier, students of the Frontier Corps Model School and College presented tableaus, songs and speeches, paying tributes to the martyred soldiers.

Also, different functions were held by the district administration, private and government schools to mark the day in Lower Dir.

Different programmes and rallies were held in parts of Haripur district where the officials of education department, civil society and district administration were in attendance.

Different organisations took out rallies and held functions in Abbottabad to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day. Students and staff of Comsats University, Abbottabad campus, took out processions to observe the day.

Various functions and events were held across Bajaur tribal district to mark the Defence and Martyrs Day. The main event was held at the civil colony in Khar.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2019