City celebrates 'victory over India'

Citizens across the metropolis, along with various political, religious, and social organisations, observed Youm-e-Tashakkur (day of thanks) on Sunday to mark "the historic success" of Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos conducted by Pakistan's military against India.

The city witnessed widespread celebrations, with people from all walks of life - including children, youth, women, and the elderly -participating in rallies and public gatherings to express gratitude to the security forces.

Participants carried national flags and shouted slogans in solidarity with the military, lauding the leadership of the three services chiefs, especially the army chief,. They paid tribute to the armed forces for what they described as a decisive response to Indian aggression, bringing pride to the nation.

MQM-Pakistan staged rallies across the city, highlighting the professionalism and strategic superiority of the Pakistani military during the operation. Party leaders praised the military for successfully countering a numerically superior enemy and stressed the importance of national unity. MQM Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui welcomed the ceasefire agreement with India, describing it as both a national and diplomatic milestone that demonstrated Pakistan's robust defence capabilities.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also organised a Youm-e-Tashakkur rally from Gulshan-e-Jamal to the Karachi Press Club. Led by senior leaders, including Bashir Memon, Saleem Zia, and Asad Usmani, participants commended the military's swift and effective operation, which they said was concluded successfully within hours.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, and General Secretary Arslan Khalid led a large protest rally in Karachi titled "Pakistan Zindabad" to express solidarity with the nation and armed forces following recent tensions with India.

Alongside patriotic chants, the rally's participants also demanded the immediate release of PTI's founding chairman, reiterating their support for the party's leadership and calling for justice.

PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh after addressing villagers at Zero Point near Pakistan-India border in Nagarparkar, joined a rally in Hyderabad at Hyder Chowk then drove off to Karachi for the Pakistan Zibdabad Rally.

Similarly, Pakistan Muslim League-Q Secretary General Tariq Hassan remarked that the operation had profoundly impacted the Indian government and called for an All Parties Conference (APC). He proposed that the APC, led by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in coordination with the military leadership, should serve as a platform to express collective national gratitude and reinforce political unity.

Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) President Engineer Sarwat Ejaz Qadri celebrated the "victory" at Qadri House, calling it a divine blessing and a reflection of national cohesion. He highlighted the participation of Pakistan's diverse communities, stressing that people of all faiths and backgrounds stood united in support of the armed forces.

A major public rally at Clifton's Sea View was led by former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi. Addressing thousands of participants, Afridi lauded the military for its effective response and emphasised the importance of peace in the region. He said that India had underestimated Pakistan's capabilities and expressed hope that the outcome would pave the way for lasting peace.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was widely appreciated for his representation of Pakistan on international media platforms during the crisis. His statements were noted for reflecting Pakistan's responsible and dignified diplomatic posture.

Mayor of Karachi and Spokesperson for the Sindh Government, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, stating that Pakistan has always been a peace-loving nation that prioritises dialogue, regional stability, and responsible diplomacy.

Leading a rally he said that despite India's aggression and attempts to impose war, Pakistan's Armed Forces gave a resolute and strategic response, earning the respect and admiration of the nation and the global community alike.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar has said that the nation had won the war against India in the battle field and expressed his hope that the political leadership won't lose the victory on the table during peace dialogue with the neighbouring country. The JI leader expressed these views in wee hours of Sunday while visiting a camp setup in Karachi, by the youth wing of the party.