SWABI: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Friday that the nation taking breath in an independent and peaceful environment today was just because of the martyrs, who laid down their lives for defence of the motherland.

He stated this while talking to reporters during his visit to the mausoleum of Nishan-i-Haider recipient Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed here on the occasion of the Defence Day.

He was accompanied by MNAs Asad Qaiser, Shahram Khan Tarakai, provincial minister for irrigation Aqibullah Khan, minister for education Faisal Khan Tarakai, adviser to chief minister on technical education and commerce Abdul Karim and MPA Rangaiz Khan.

The chief minister placed a floral wreath on the grave of Karnal Sher Khan and prayed for the departed soul.

Visits tomb of Nishan-i-Haider recipient Karnal Sher Khan in Swabi

The chief minister paid rich tribute to the Kargil war hero.

“The martyrs of the land who sacrificed for the country and nation will always be remembered by the people,” Mr Gandapur said.

“I have visited his mausoleum earlier and I am proud to come here again,” he said. “We salute the martyrs. Martyrs are our pride. It is because of them that Pakistan was established and remained powerful.”

“The blood of martyrs motivates the young generation to come forward and play their due role in making Pakistan strong,” he said.

The chief minister said that those who sacrificed for themselves didn’t enjoy the same respect those who sacrificed for others enjoyed.

A museum has also been established in Karnal Sher Khan graveyard adjacent to his tomb where all the items used by him during his lifetime are displayed.

Anwar Sher, Karnal Sher Khan’s brother, briefed the chief minister about various items he used in his life.

He said India was the number one enemy of Pakistan, and that New Delhi always made efforts to harm Islamabad, but the people of the country were ready to render sacrifices for their motherland like his brother.

MNA Asad Qaiser also paid tribute to Karnal Sher, saying that he was the lone Nishan-i-Haider recipient from KP, and the nation was proud of him and the valour he displaced on the battlefield.

Later, the chief minister along with other parliamentarians visited the residence of Shahram Tarakai and expressed sympathy with him over the killing of the Tarakai House watchman a few days ago.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2024