QUETTA: The Defence Day was observed across Balochistan on Friday as the day of solidarity with families of the country’s martyrs and the oppressed people of India-held Kashmir. Rallies and other programmes were organised to mark the day.

In Quetta, dozens of rallies were held and processions were taken out by various political and nonpolitical organisations. A large number of people, including women and students, attended these programmes.

The day began with 21-gun salute and special prayers at mosques for prosperity and stability of the country and for success of the freedom struggle of Kashmiris.

Quran Khawani programmes were also held for martyrs of the country’s armed forces who rendered sacrifices in the 1965 war.

A big procession was taken out by the Tehreek Kashmir Commi­ttee, Balochistan. It began from Double Road and ended at Liaquat Park Chowk where its participants were addressed by Dr Haroon Achakzai, Haji Wali Mohammad Khan Noorzai, Sardar Azmatullah Dummar, Advocate Mir Moazzam Shahwani and others.

Paying tribute to martyrs of the 1965 war, they said it was their sacrifices that had saved Pakistan from Indian aggression. They strongly condemned Indian forces atrocities against the innocent people of held Kashmir. They said the world should break it silence over brutalities being committed by Indian forces in held Kashmir.

Members and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Balochistan Awami Party also took out rallies in Quetta to express solidarity with Kashmiris and martyrs’ families.

Vice president of the PTI’s Balochistan chapter Sardar Roohullah, secretary general Abdul Bari Barrech, central deputy secretary general Sardar Khadim Hussain Wardag , senior vice president Zahoor Agha and other leaders were present.

Speaking on the occasion, these leaders said that those who had sacrificed their lives for the defence of the country would always be remembered. They condemned Indian government for human rights violations in held Kashmir, saying that it has failed in demoralising Kashmiris who are struggling for their freedom.

Different programmes for expressing solidarity with the people of held Kashmir and families of martyrs were organised also in other towns and cities of Baloch­is­tan, including Chagai, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Sibi, Gwadar, Hub, Turbat, Khuzdar, Loralai, Chaman, Pishin, Zhob, Dera Bugti, Dalbandin, Noshki and Kalat.

In Noshki, participants carrying a 100-metre long national flag marched from the FC Headquarter and to Sadiq Akbar Chowk.

They raised slogans in favour of Pakistan Army and against Indian government.

PTI leader and chief of Rakhshani tribe Sardar Prince Abdul Qadir Baloch addressed the participants.

The Defence Day march in Mach began from Allah Wala Chowk and ended at Mach Bazaar. The marchers assured their full support for the Kashmir movement.

In Kalat people led by the district’s additional deputy commissioner marched on different roads during which they raised slogans in favour of the Kashmir freedom movement.

Yadgar-i-Shuhada

An impressive ceremony to mark the Defence Day was also held at Yadgar-i-Shuhada.

General Officer Commanding Major General Irfan Ahmed Malik laid a floral wreath at the Shuhada monument in Quetta. Special prayers were offered for martyrs of the country’s armed forces.

Later, a reception in honour of the martyrs’ families was held at the Quetta Cantonment.

Defence Day activities were also organised by Frontier Core, Baloc­histan, at Hazara Town Graveyard. Senior officers of the FC Baloch­istan, retired officers of Pakistan Army paid homage at the graves of Shaheed Major Mohammad Ali Haideri and Shaheed Colonel Barkat Ali. They laid floral wreaths on their graves and prayed for departed souls.

Shaheed Major Mohammad Ali Haideri and his son Colonel Barkat Ali Haideri embraced martyrdom during Kargil war.

Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding 44 Division Aamir Najam and Senator Khuda Babar laid floral wreaths at the Shuhda monument in the Gwadar Development Authority Park. They expressed solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmiri.

The programme was attended by notables, elders and people from different walks of life. School­children presented national songs.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2019