City comes out in support of PAF action

Traders and others pay tribute to the armed forces

LAHORE: The entire nation is paying rich tributes to the armed forces of Pakistan, especially the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), for surprising India by drowning two of its jets and arresting a pilot in broad daylight.

Political parties, religious groups, traders, lawyers, government servants, students and people from all walks of life expressed their solidarity with the armed forces of Pakistan by staging demonstrations and bringing out rallies in different areas of the provincial capital. The chanted slogans in in favour of the armed forces and unanimously said that the “Pakistani Shaheens” could raise their heads with pride.

A large number of workers, belonging to various employee and trade unions, including the All Pakistan Wapda Hydroelectric Workers Union, Railways Workers Union, Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Union, National Bank of Pakistan Employees Union, Punjab Irrigation Federation and Pakistan Textile Workers Federation, took out a public rally from Bikhtiar Labour Hall on Nisbat Road and it concluded at the Lahore Press Club.

Workers, charged with love for their motherland and armed forces, were holding banners, posters and placards. They chanted ‘Pakistani Armed Forces, Zindabad’ and ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans. Veteran worker union leader Khurshid Ahmad said the Pakistani government and nation want to maintain peace in the region, but the Modi government was violating all international laws.

He added the Indian administration had shown its real face by launching an offensive against Pakistan. He underlined that entire Pakistan nation was standing behind its armed forces. “We are ready to give any sacrifice, but will not allow India to succeed in its evil desires,” he maintained.

Union leaders also demanded end of Indian aggression in held Kashmir. They said Kashmir is part and parcel of Pakistan. United Nations and international bodies should play their in settling the Kashmir issue to maintain peace in the region. They also demanded that world powers restrain India from launching a full-blown offensive in the region.

Traders also took out a public rally from Tollinton Market to Canal Bridge on Jail Road. Punjab Chief Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs and Price Control Taskforce Convener Muhammad Akram Chaudhry led the rally which was attended by representatives from Nazria-i-Pakistan, students from Punjab University, traders association and a large number of people from the civil society.

The rally was organised under the aegis of the Lahore Poultry Association to show solidarity with the armed forces of Pakistan and to make it clear to the world that the people of Pakistan are united against any kind of Indian aggression.

Addressing the rally, Akram said every child of the country was ready to defend the motherland and that nefarious Indian designs would be fully thwarted. “We are proud of our armed forces and the whole country is standing with the braved forces of Pakistan,” he added.

Condemning the incursion of Indian planes in Pakistan’s territory, he said Indian planes have violated international laws by intruding the line of control. The commitment and passion of Pakistani nation is fully boosted and the aggression of the enemy will be given a befitting reply, he added.

He said that Pakistan is a peace loving country, but if anyone dares casts am evil eye on his beloved country, the people  are ready for any kind of sacrifice. “The people of Pakistan have proven that they are united against hostile designs and are ready to protect their motherland,” he added.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan always preferred dialogue instead of any kind of aggression and India should also adopt this course and resolve all the issues amicably in the interest of both countries. “Indian aggression is serving as an obstacle against peace,” he added. He said that in the occupied Kashmir, millions of Indian forces are involved in serious human rights violations and they strongly condemn India’s cruelty and oppression against Kashmiri people.

Meanwhile, trade leader Abdul Razzaq Babbar announced the boycott of Indian products. He said the trading community of Pakistan was standing by its armed forces and was ready to fight against the enemy on all fronts.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan Niazi (JIP-N) chief Syed Muhammad Masoom Hussain Naqvi said armed forces of Pakistan have won the hearts of the nation by shooting down Indian aircraft. “The armed forces have downed Modi’s politics with Indian Air Force (IAF) planes. A defeat in upcoming election will send Modi packing and grant freedom to common citizens from this extremist.”

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Vice President and JIP Central President Ejaz Ahmad Hashmi termed the PAF strike as a brave action. He said entire nation is united against Indian aggression and standing behind the armed forces of Pakistan and Kashmiri brothers.

He highlighted that by offering talks and peaceful resolution, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Army spokesman have once again proved that Pakistan wants peace in the region. India should keep in mind that armed forces of Pakistan are ready to defend their motherland beside government efforts to restore peace through diplomatic channels.