RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) arranged a ceremony to pay tributes to the armed forces on Monday.

An exhibition and a poster making competition was also organised. The programme’s chief guest was Member Punjab Assembly (MPA) Farah Agha. Senior artists Col Asif Hussain, Ahmad Habib, Younis Rumi, Ejaz Khan, Fareeha Farooq, Tayyaba Khalid, Anzal Siddiqui and Rifat Khattak participated in the exhibition.

A large number of school and college students took part in the poster-making competition.

Laiba Javed secured the first position, Aiman Yaseen second and Ahmad Qureshi was declared third and Moeez Zeeshan fourth.

Col Malik presented stamps to participants issued in connection with the 1965 and 1971 wars.

MPA Agha said in the Pak-India war of 1965, Pakistani soldiers performed heroic deeds which would be remembered forever as they were able to defeat an enemy force six times larger than their own. The armed forces are the pride of the nation, she added.

She appreciated the initiative taken by the arts council to highlight the importance of Defence Day for youngsters.

Former RAC director Naheed Manzoor said the nation saluted the sacrifices rendered by martyrs, adding children paid tributes to them through colours. “Our young generation is rich in creativity,” she said.

In his address, RAC Director Waqar Ahmad said today the entire nation was paying homage to its martyrs as due to their sacrifices we can sleep peacefully without any fear. — APP

Gujar Khan

Tributes were paid to the martyrs and recipients of the highest military awards in Gujar Khan and Jhelum on National Defence Day.

Special ceremonies were held at the monuments of the recipients of Nishan-i- Haider, Sawar Mohammad Hussain Shaheed, Captain Raja Mohammad Sarwar Shaheed and Major Mohammad Akran Shaheed.

A large number of citizens and army officials attended the ceremonies and paid tributes to the national heroes.

In the first ceremony held at the monument of the first recipient of Nishan-i-Haider, Captain Mohammad Sarwar Shaheed in his native village of Singhori near Gujar Khan, former prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf, General Officer Commanding 12 Division Major General Wajid Aziz, grandson of the martyr, Major Adeel Sarwar, and a large number of citizens were present.

General Aziz laid a wreath at the monument on behalf of the chief of army staff (COAS) and a contingent of Punjab Regiment presented a guard of honour.

The second ceremony was held at the monument of Sawar Shaheed in Dhoke Nishan-i-Haider near Jatli village. The ceremony was attended by Major General Mohammad Akmal of 10 Corps and a large number of civilians.

General Akmallaid a floral wreath at the monument on behalf of the COAS and a contingent of 31Cavalry Regiment presented a guard of honour.

The third ceremony was held at the monument of Major Mohammad Akram Shaheed in his native village Nakka Kalan near Jhelum. The ceremony was attended by family members of the martyr, Major General Shahid Imtiaz, Deputy Commissioner Rao Pervez Akhter, DPO Jhelum Shakir Hussain Dawar and a large number of citizens.

A contingent of the army presented a guard of honour at the monument.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2021