Islam has given special place to martyrs. Pakistan has also got lot of martyrs which gave their lives to give us security and safety. Martyrs of Pak Army and our security departments are our heroes who ensured our safety with their bloods.
Nation has witnessed the malicious incidents on May 9 when a group of few riots and anti-state elements attacked on the Pak Army and civilian’s installations. They also attacked on the Yadgars and models of our national heroes. Many lives of our soldiers and civilians were lost in these incidents. Riots not only damaged the installations and properties but they also attacked on the Yadgars of our martyrs which was not a good sign in acknowledging their remarkable services for the country. The feelings of the families of our martyrs were badly affected because of these evil attacks.
Army Chief Gerneral Asim Munir announced to observe May 25 as Youm-e-Takreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan (Day of Honouring the Martyrs of Pakistan) in order to acknowledge the sacrifices of our martyrs and showing solidarity with their families.
The army chief’s visited to the Police Lines to observe ‘Youm-e-Takreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan (Day of Honouring the Martyrs of Pakistan)’, dedicated to the brave heroes who laid down their lives for the defense and prosperity of the country.
On the occasion, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir said that whatever happened on May 9 is condemnable and deplorable. The sacrifices of those martyrs, who have been granted immortality by God, cannot be disregarded. The army chief said this while addressing the relatives of the martyred personnel of Islamabad police. He was on a visit to the Islamabad Police Lines. No sacrifices will be avoided for the sake of the country’s dignity and respect, Gen Munir said, adding the Pakistani nation stood by and will keep standing with the relatives of the martyrs. The solemn occasion was marked with various events with the main ceremony at Pakistan Army General Headquarters (GHQ). The day began with the national flag being lowered to half-mast, symbolizing the nation’s mourning for the fallen heroes. Amidst an atmosphere buzzing with anticipation, the prestigious main event unfolded, graced by the presence of esteemed guests. Dignity personified, the Army Chief stood tall as a special guest. Alongside him, the captain of the national cricket team, Babar Azam, radiated a different kind of energy—an embodiment of excellence in his field, his unwavering commitment to victory mirrored the resilience of the nation itself.
Adding to the grandeur of the occasion, the former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, a revered figure in the military, also participated in the ceremony, tenderly laying flowers on the martyrs’ memorial. As the ceremony unfolded, the collective homage paid to the Shuhada-e-Pakistan on Youm-e-Takreem stirred emotions in the hearts of those who gathered. In the solemn ceremony held at the martyrs’ memorial, IG Islamabad Akbar Nasir, the head of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), paid his respects by laying flowers. He was joined by Regional police officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali, who also placed flowers on the memorial, symbolizing their deep admiration for the fallen heroes.
The families and children of the martyrs were present, grief-stricken yet proud, as they too placed flowers on the memorial, honoring their loved ones’ sacrifice.
Commissioner Islamabad Liaquat Ali Chtata and Commissioner Pindi Noorul Amin, representing the government, paid their respects by placing flowers on the memorial. The commemoration also witnessed the presence of respected individuals such as PTV anchorperson Ishrat Fatima, as well as religious leaders Mufti Muneeb and Maulana Akhbir Azad, who all expressed their reverence for the martyrs by laying flowers on the memorial. A sea of distinguished personalities including entrepreneurs, artists, scholars, and activists also joined the ensemble.
A number of ceremonies of Quran recitation and prayers for fallen heroes were arranged across the country. People paid tribute to the eternal sacrifices of the martyrs of the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary (FC), Police, and other law enforcement agencies who laid down their lives for the peace and order of the homeland to end terrorism. Moreover, several commemorative ceremonies were held at the martyrs’ memorials to pay tribute to them. A number of commemorative ceremonies were held at martyrs memorial at Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Naval Headquarters (PN), and Police Yadgar-e-Suhuda including Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and all provincial capitals. The day serves as a powerful reminder that the ‘sacrifices made by the martyrs shall never be in vain’.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir also had an informal meeting with the school students and children of martyrs present on the occasion of Pakistan Martyrs’ Day – which was held at the Pakistan Military’s General Headquarters (GHQ). General Asim Munir said that Pakistan Army was the heir of all children of martyrs, stating that the relation with them is ‘exemplary and long-lasting’. “Pakistan Army will stand united with you,” said COAS to the kids of the martyrs. Army Chief also visited the martyrs’ monument, laid floral wreath and offered fateha.
Youm-e-Takreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan (Day of Honouring the Martyrs of Pakistan) ceremony was held at Kashmir Monument Muzaffarabad AJK as well. I always wished to attend function organized by Pak Army as I am quite impressed by their discipline, services and organized activities. Luckily, I was also invited to attend the event for which I am much thankful to Pak Army ad very professional & friendly management & Staff of ISPR.
Pak Army invited lot of retired army officers, Civil services personnel, representatives of Civil Society and Families of martyrs. Time management and security system was remarkable. I was warmly received on the gate which clearly showed the deep association of our Army with civilians.
Sitting arrangement was excellent. To pay tribute to the martyrs, ‘Youm-e-Takreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan’ was observed with great enthusiasm across Azad Jammu and Kashmir on May 25 2023. Corps Commander Rawalpindi Lt. Gen Shahid Imtiaz was the chief guest of the event. Everything was well organized and timings were strictly followed. The Corps Commander Rawalpindi Lt. Gen Shahid Imtiaz laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial Muzaffarabad and offered a special prayer for the development, prosperity and stability of the country. On this occasion, Chief Secretary Azad Kashmir Dr. Muhammad Usman Chachar and IG Police Dr. Ameer Ahmed Sheikh were also present and laid a wreath on the occasion. In this event, the heirs of martyrs of Pakistan Army, police and law enforcement agencies, children of educational institutions, political and social figures and a large number of citizens also participated. On this occasion, the chief guest Corps Commander Rawalpindi said that Pakistan the soldiers and officers of armed forces including Army, Rangers, Air Force, Navy, Police and other security agencies have made Pakistan’s defense impregnable through their bravery and sacrifices. The Chief Secretary and IG Police Azad Kashmir also paid homage to the martyrs, acknowledged their services and offered salutations to them for sacrificing their lives for the motherland. The participants of the event paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan and expressed their gratitude to the martyrs and their heirs. The participants of the ceremony reiterated their resolve that we will never forget our brave martyrs, always honor them and always remember the eternal sacrifices of these brave sons and daughters of the nation.
The famous singer of Kashmir Bano Rahmat sung a very beautiful song and paid tribute to the martyrs in her very attractive and pleasant voice. Refreshment was also arranged for the people and quite surprisingly no one rushed to reach the serving table first as it is mostly seen in our marriage ceremonies. Chief Guest mixed up with the people and had very frank conversation with everyone specially the families of martyrs. I was also introduced to the chief guest and we had a brief and very nice interaction. One thing I clearly noticed during the ceremony that there is no gap between our civilian and military sentiments. Both are on one page and people love their army by heart. So the propaganda of any sort of gap between civilians and military is totally false and rubbish.
The ceremony ended exactly on the time which was already shared with the audiences and participants. The day and its sweet memories are unforgettable for me and I along with whole nation pray that our brave army may serve the country even with more pace and enthusiasm.