ISLAMABAD: Appreciating the start of operation ‘Bunyan Marsoos’ against India, representatives of health institutions and organisations have appreciated the role of the armed forces which forced India to agree to a ceasefire.

They claimed that since the start of the recent aggression by India, the armed forces played the best possible role to facilitate the masses and remain prepared to deal with any crisis-like situation.

The Federal Health Alliance, which has representation of employees of five hospitals of the federal capital, claimed that since the start of the Indian aggression, they announced solidarity with the armed forces and remained mentally prepared to deal with any untoward situation.

Mohammad Arshad Khan, Haji Mohammad Hanif, Malik Tanveer Noshahi, Mirza Mohammad Akmal, Rashid Aarain and others, in a joint statement, said since the start of the conflict, they were holding walks in favour of the armed forces.

“Moreover we also ensured that the employees would remain available round the clock to deal with any untoward situation,” Mr Noshahi said. Malik Zeeshan said that they had showed willingness to give services within the hospitals or even at border.

Staff Nurse Sister Zobia said female nursing staff was also mentally prepared that it can be called any time or at any place to give first aid to people and officials of the armed forces.

On the other hand, Blood Bank in charge of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Dr Farwa Sijjeel said arrangements were made to ensure availability of blood in the hospital. “As India was in a state of war with Pakistan and the nation was on high alert, we used all of our resources to get donation of blood to build up reserves for any potential crisis,” she said.

In another development Secretary General Pakistan National Heart Association Sanaullah Ghumman said the association, which works closely with doctors, health organisations, civil society, policymakers and youth, wrote letters to the district administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi that it was ready to help in critical time.

“Our teams of trained social workers and medical professionals were ready to provide volunteer services, leveraging our strong working relationships with local civil society organisations. We are equipped to offer a collaborative work in civil defence, using our CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and first aid and free ambulance services to facilitate in any emergency,” he said.

Rally to show solidarity

To express solidarity with the Pakistani armed forces, a rally was organised under the leadership of former president Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sardar Yasir Ilyas, which started from F-9 Park and ended at D-Chowk.

Pakistan Workers Federation General Secretary and leader of CDA Mazdoor Union Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin said the rally was proof that the entire nation stood by the Pakistan Army.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Minority Forum (PMF) and Pak Christian Business Forum organised a solidarity walk in front of the National Press Club in Islamabad to express support for the Pakistani armed forces and condemn Indian aggression.

The event was attended by members of the minority community, who held banners and placards, raised slogans and expressed their solidarity with the armed forces.

Addressing the participants, PMF Chairman Chaudhry Ashraf Farzand said the Christian community in Pakistan stood firmly behind its brave and courageous armed forces.

He praised the Pakistan Air Force for its bravery in shooting down Indian planes and foiling the Indian prime minister’s nefarious plans.

Farzand also saluted the Christian pilots and personnel serving in the armed forces, including Group Captain Kamran Bashir and Col Shameil Morris, who played a vital role in defending the country.

He also lauded the heroes of the Pakistan Air Force from the 1965 and 1971 wars, including Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry, Marvin Leslie and Nazir Latif.

Farzand emphasised that people of all religions and races living in Pakistan were united and willing to make sacrifices for the country’s security and sovereignty.

Asif Jan, General Secretary PMF, Jamil Khokhar and Sunina Junaid also addressed the participants.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2025