The nation marked the Youm-e-Takreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan with reverence, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.
The day dawned with special prayers, followed by several commemorative ceremonies at educational institutes, offices of government and non-government organizations. Rallies and processions were also taken out to pay respect and tribute to the brave sons of the soil.
The participants were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans showing respect and love for the martyrs. The speakers shed light on the importance of the day and the unmatchable sacrifice the soldiers made for the defence of the motherland.
In the garrison city of Rawalpindi, scores of people rallied outside Mall Road and GHQ gate where miscreants vented their spleen on May 9. However, the participants of the rally paid homage to the martyred soldiers who showed valour in the line of duty by sacrificing their lives. They condemned the acts of May 9 and raised slogans like Long live Pak Army. They presented bouquets to the troops deployed there
Throughout the day, students and teachers from different educational institutions paid a visit to GHQ. They prayed for the departed souls, showed solidarity with the families of martyrs and laid wreaths at the martyrs' monument.
The visitors vehemently condemned the May 9 riots and called for stern steps to fend off such barbaric acts. The nation will never forgive those traitors who damaged military installations and martyrs' memorials, he resolved.
In the Punjab capital Lahore, Educational institutes organized special ceremonies to show respect and love for the martyrs. They paid tribute to the martyrs and heaped praise on their families. Seminars and debate contests were held.
In Gujranwala, a walk was organized in which the participants were holding banners and placards paying tribute to the martyrs. Speakers shed light on the importance of the day and condemned the barbaric acts of May 9.
The miscreants attacked public property and state assets in the name of protest against the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan in a corruption case on May 9. They stormed GHQ in Rawalpindi, Corps Comandar House in Lahore and Pakistan Radio in Peshawar. Innocent people were killed while the riots left a trail of destruction.
Various educational institutions of Bahawalpur, including the Federal Government Education Institute, organized a special event. Students paid tribute to the martyrs and paid tribute to the heroes. They heaped praise on the families of martyrs. They too raised the demand for stern action against the miscreants. They said the nation-army bond is so strong that such criminal acts can’t weaken it.
In their special messages, the relatives of the martyrs expressed their views in connection with the day. The armed forces are the only means of defence of the country and the entire nation be proud of the Pakistan Army.
The nation is blessed with freedom as a result of the sacrifices of the martyrs, they said, adding that the people of Pakistan will remember the sacrifices of the martyrs. They called for unity to cope with the challenges confronting the country.