SWABI: Glowing homage was paid to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, the sole recipient of Nishan-i-Haider award from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on the occasion of the 55th Defence Day here on Sunday.

An impressive ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Karnal Sher Khan in Karnal Sher Khan Killi village of Razaar, and a contingent of the army led by Brig Shahid Younas laid floral wreath at his tomb and paid homage to the Kargil hero.

An army contingent also presented guard of honour and offered Fateha for the departed soul. Anwar Sher, the elder brother of Karnal Sher Khan, and a large number of people also attended the ceremony. Karnal Sher Khan embraced martyrdom on July 5, 1999, in snow-capped mountains while brilliantly fighting with the Indian army.

In Chitral, the Defence Day was celebrated at the Chitral Scouts headquarters, and floral wreaths were placed at the Yadgaar-i-Shuhada. Earlier, a function was held in which gifts were presented to the heirs of the martyred armed personnel. Commandant Chitral Task Force Col Mohammad Ali Zafar, MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitral, Lower Chitral deputy commissioner Naveed Ahmed and DPO Abdul Haye presented the gifts.

Functions, events held in different districts

In Bajaur, the day was observed with a pledge to defend the country against all sorts of threats.

Various functions and events were held in different regions of the district attended by people from all walks of life.

The main function was held at the Civil Colony in Khar.

Senior officials of the security forces and district administration, including army’s Sector Commander Brig Chaudhry Athar Munir, deputy commissioner Mohammad Fayyaz Khan, and heads of line departments participated in the event. The participants paid homage to the people who had laid down their lives for the country’s defence.

Gifts were distributed among the family members of the martyred persons. Also in the day, PTI’s local chapter arranged a rally.

Led by MNA Gul Zafar Khan, the participants began the march from the lawmaker’s home town in Kharki and converged in Nawagai town.

In Karak, several functions were held to observe the Defence Day with national zeal.

The speakers resolved to render sacrifices for defense of Pakistan.

A special program was organised at Sabirabad presided over by patron-in-chief of labour union Zafar Iqbal Saif Khattak. The speakers paid tributes to those who sacrificed their lives for security of the motherland. The speakers said September 6 reminded them of the blood of the martyrs and demanded of them to work hard for the country’s development.

In Haripur, a group of scouts visited the grave of former president Gen retired Ayub Khan in his native Rehana village and offered Fateh. Earlier, the scouts offered Fateha for the martyrs of September 6, 1965, and paid tribute to them. Later, they visited the grave of Gen Ayub and laid a floral wreath.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2020