ISLAMABAD: Thanksgiving Day was observed in various parts of the country to pay homage to the armed forces for ensuring the country’s defence in the face of Indian threat.

In the garrison city, educational institutions, civic bodies and the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) arranged various ceremonies.

The main ceremony, organised by the district administration, was held at Government Viqarun Nisa College, Rawalpindi.

It was attended by Member National Assembly (MNA) Danyal Chaudhry, Senator Nasir Butt, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb and members of the Punjab Assembly.

Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa, Commissioner Aamer Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, administrative officials, religious scholars, students, teachers and members of the public attended the ceremony. A flag hoisting ceremony was held on the occasion.

Meanwhile, educational institutions of the federal capital paid tribute to the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan, who defeated India after successfully launching Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority, Special Education Department Islamabad, Non-Formal Education (NFE) and various seminaries observed Youm-e-Tashakur on Friday.

Special morning assemblies were conducted in all the educational institutions of Islamabad to celebrate the day and express solidarity with the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

Flag hoisting ceremonies were held during morning assemblies. Heads of the institutions, in their speeches during the assemblies, talked about the importance of independence and highlighted the positive role of the Pakistan Armed Forces during the current war.

“Students of public and private institutions, through various activities, paid glowing tributes to the bravery of the armed forces. In all our institutions, special functions were arranged as the morale of the entire nation, including students, is high as our armed forces gave a befitting reply to India,” said Joint Secretary Education Syed Junaid Akhlaq.

The observance of Youm-e-Tashakur served as a powerful reminder of the resilience, bravery and sacrifices of Pakistan’s military personnel and law enforcement agencies during difficult times.

Also on Friday, a group of 200 students, comprising both male and female participants from institutions under the Federal Directorate of Education, visited Yadgar-e-Shuhada located in F-9 Park, Islamabad.

The primary objective of this visit was to pay homage to the valiant martyrs of the Bunyan-um-Marsoos and to inculcate a sense of patriotism among the youth.

Like the rest of the country, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) also observed Thanksgiving Day on Friday to celebrate the forceful retaliation under Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against recent Indian aggression.

In Muzaffarabad, a large rally was taken out from the prime minister’s secretariat to the martyrs’ memorial at Chattar Chowk, with participants raising passionate slogans in support of Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Navy.

Slogans were also chanted against India and in favour of the Kashmir freedom movement.

The rally was attended by cabinet members Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed and Ms Nisara Abbasi, government officials and a large number of citizens. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rasheed said that the armed forces of Pakistan were rendering tremendous sacrifices for the defence of the motherland. He added that Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos shattered the enemy’s arrogance and that General Munir’s firm response had enhanced the nation’s dignity and pride.

“The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its valiant army chief,” he declared. “General Asim Munir has proven that the Pakistan Army will never compromise on the defence and security of the country.”

Expressing her views, Ms Abbasi said the armed forces had crushed the enemy’s arrogance. “The bond between Pakistan and Kashmir is based on faith,” she said, adding that the nation pays rich tribute to the armed forces for safeguarding the country’s security.

Like other parts of the country, Youm-e-Tashakur was observed in Taxila and various parts of Attock, including Hazro and Hassanabdal.

The federal government had declared Friday as Youm-e-Tashakur at the national level.

Meanwhile, the Lawyers Forum of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) organised events across the country to commemorate May 16 as a National Day of Thanksgiving.

The initiative followed an announcement by the government and party leadership to celebrate national unity and military success. The largest event was held at the District Bar Association Rawalpindi, where PML-N Lawyers Forum Punjab President Rana Zafar Iqbal presided over the gathering.

Senior party leader, retired Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum attended as the chief guest.

The ceremony drew a significant number of lawyers, political leaders and civil society members.

On the other hand, an artwork by special children received huge appreciation from visitors, as the students expressed their thoughts, feelings and aspirations through their paintings.

As part of the celebrations by the education ministry in connection with Youm-e-Tashakur, the art exhibition titled, “The Silent Expression”, was held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025