CHINIOT: Member provincial assembly and PA Parliamentary Committee on Food and Agriculture Chairman Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah was injured during fireworks in the ceremony to mark ‘Marka-i-Haq’ the other day.

The day was marked by rallies, public gatherings and events to commemorate the first anniversary of the victory of Pakistan against India.

A central ceremony was held on the night between Saturday and Sunday at the Chiniot Hockey Stadium where national songs, tableaus and performances by children were present.

Chiniot Deputy Commissioner Ayesha Rizwan, DPO Dr Naveed Atif; MPAs Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Mehr Taimoor Amjid Lali; philanthropists Chaudhary Masood Iqbal, Ghulam Shabbir; Additional Deputy Commissioner General Wasiq Abbas Haral; Assistant Commissioner Shaista Jabeen; officials of various departments and organisations, students and citizens from all walks of life took part in the celebrations.

Students from various schools played the national anthem, national songs and presented tableaus to mark the day. A horse dance was also organised to entertain the people present on the occasion followed by a fireworks show.

MPA Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah was slightly injured when he was hit by a piece of debris during the fireworks and he left the event and the fireworks were immediately stopped.

DC Ayesha said that such events played a pivotal role in inculcating sentiments of patriotism, unity and sacrifice in the younger generation for the country.

DPO Atif said that the sacrifices of the soldiers of the Pakistan Army for the security, stability and development of the country would be forever remembered.

A seminar was also organised by the district press club chaired by its President Shahid Mehmood Chaudhary. Later, the participants took out a rally from the press club to the Khatm -i-Nabuat Chowk in support of the Pakistan Army.

Another event was organised at the political office of Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaisar Ahmad Shiekh, where the participants paid tribute to the Pakistan Army and marked the day with a rally.

The minister said that every conspiracy to weaken Pakistan had failed and the entire nation stands by its brave forces.

He said that at the beginning of the war, the first rally was held in Chiniot, while at that time some elements were criticising the army.

He said the people of Chiniot showed unity and gave a clear message to the enemy.

Mr Sheikh said that despite India’s defense budget, many folds higher than Pakistan’s, with the help of Allah Almighty, the spirit of the nation and the professional capabilities of the Pakistani forces, the enemy’s arrogance was crushed.

He said that the Pakistan Army under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir thwarted the enemy’s evil intentions and proved to the world that Pakistan’s defense was impregnable.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2026