HYDERABAD: Civil and military officials, activists of political and religious organisations, civil society and members of general public visited martyrs’ families and took part in rallies and demonstrations to mark the Defence Day of Pakistan and Kashmir Solidarity Day across the province on Friday.

In Hyderabad, commissioner, DIG and deputy commissioner led a rally that started from Shahbaz Building. Later, all the officials visited residences of martyrs in Hyderabad and presented them bouquets and mementos.

The officers said on the occasion that the rally was staged to pay tribute to Pakistan Army soldiers. Heirs of martyrs must know that entire nation was proud of them, they said.

Civil, military officials, activists of political and religious parties, general public visit martyrs’ families

They said that people of Pakistan stood by their Kashmiri brethern and the occupied Kashmir would one day become part of Pakistan.

SU vice chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Mohammad Burfat said at a ceremony held in Sindh University to mark the Defence Day that Sept 6 was not merely a day to reiterate pledge to protect ones’ motherland but also an occasion to pay tribute to heroes who laid down their lives to defeat enemy deigns.

The SU program also included a mega art exhibition showcasing around 100 thematic artworks projecting sacrifices of armed forces made by students of Institute of Art and Design. Brigadier Mohammad Taqqi Raja viewed exhibition as event chief guest.

Activists of Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Anjuman-i-Sarfaroshan-i-Islam and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) also held separate programmes to mark the day. PST activists burnt an effigy of Indian prime minister and pledged to keep supporting people of Kashmir.

Activists of JI held a photo exhibition of the martyrs of Pakistan outside local press club. They spoke to heirs of martyrs and said that now not only occupied Kashmir would be liberated but India would also split into pieces.

Similar ceremonies were organised by Government College University, Anjuman-i-Tajiran, staff of Liaquat University Hospital, motorway police, Matiari and Jamshoro district administrations.

General Officer Commanding Major Gen Mohammad Kashif Azad who was chief guest at the programme at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences said that people of Pakistan proved unmatched national unity and stood by armed forces on Sept 6, 1965.

He paid tribute to all the sons and daughters of the soil who laid down their lives in defending their homeland.

Activists of PML-N and PTI staged rallies and programmes at local press club.

MIRPURKHAS: Several rallies were taken out by social and political organisations and schools in the city to mark the defence day and Kashmir solidarity day.

PTI activists took out a rally which passed through different roads carrying banners and national flags and raising slogans in support of Kashmiri people.

The district administration also took out a rally in which government officers and notables participated.

Schools and colleges organised programmes and later teachers and students took out a rally which ended at the martyrs’ graveyard where they offered Fateha at the graves of martyrs and laid wreaths.

Similar rallies were taken out in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Jhuddo, Tando Jan Muhammad, Naokot, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Sindhri, Phuladyyoon, Hingorno, Khaan, Jhilori etc.

DADU: Sindh University’s Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed (MBBS) Campus in Dadu organised a programme to mark the day where speakers paid tribute to the martyrs of 1965 war.

Prof Dr Muniruddin Soomro, the campus focal person, paid tribute to martyrs and said that the people or soldiers who had laid down lives for the motherland would always be remembered.

He said that the enemy’s nefarious designs were foiled both in 1965 war and Kargil conflict. “We are proud of our national heroes and martyrs who laid down their lives to safeguard our dear homeland,” he said.

Lt. Colonel Syed Sardar Shah said that Pakistani soldiers had made history by sacrificing their lives for the country. In 1965 war against India, the brave soldiers revived memories of their forefathers who had stood against aggression in 1948 and liberated the region, he said.

The gathering offered special prayers on this occasion and pledged to offer sacrifices for the defence of the motherland.

Many programmes were organised at police headquarters, Ustad Bukhari Degree College, Army Public School and Sindh University’s Dadu campus to observe the day.

Dadu SSP visited graves of martyrs, laid wreaths and met heirs of the martyrs at their houses along with officials of law enforcement agencies, district administration and civil society organisations.

BADIN: Officers of armed forces and civil administration visited different villages to meet families of martyrs on the Defense Day and also expressed solidarity with people of Indian occupied Kashmir.

The deputy commissioner led a big rally in which senior officials of revenue, police, education, highways and other departments and notables from different walks of life, took part. They paid tribute to the martyrs and expressed solidarity with people of occupied Kashmir.

MITHI: Several programmes were held in Mithi, Islamkot, Diplo, Nagarparkar, Chelhar, Chhachhro, Dano Dhandal, Kaloi and other towns of Tharparkar district to observe the national defence day.

The officials and common people thronged martyrs’ memorial in Barach village near Islamkot and offered Fateha for those who were killed by Indian forces.

SHIKARPUR: Activists of religious, political and civil society organisations took out rallies to mark Defence Day and express solidarity with people of occupied Kashmir.

Journalists also staged a demonstration inside local press club and took out a rally. They raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad and Kashmir Banega Pakistan.

UMERKOT: Different programmes were organised at schools and colleges in all major cities of the district while the main function was held at Yadgar-i-Shuhada by Pakistan Army and district administration to pay tribute to martyrs.

At the main ceremony at Jinnah Park, soldiers presented guard of honour to the martyrs and Brig. Noman Manzoor of 56 Brigade Chhor Cantonment, DC Nadeemur Rehman Memon and district council chairman Dr Noor Ali Shah laid wreaths on the Yadgar.

Another simple but impressive programme was held at Love Pakistan Trust, where students of

Genesis International High School threw paid homage to martyrs through speeches, songs and tableaus.

Korean head of the trust Dr Min said that he had found Pakistanis peaceful and peace loving. He was sad to hear about genocide of Kashmiri people at the hands of Indian forces and urged students to love their country and always be ready to protect it.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2019