Honouring heroes: PAF observes Martyrs’ Day
Play at Rawalpindi Arts Council marks Defence Day.
The Pakistan Air Force observed September 7 as Martyrs’ Day at all PAF Bases throughout the country.
A ceremony was held at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad in which PAF Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt laid floral wreath and offered prayers at the Martyrs’ Monument. Principal staff officers and a high number of airmen attended the ceremony. The day started with special prayers and a Quran Khwani for the martyrs of 1965 and 1971 wars and those who laid down their lives in action since the creation of Pakistan.
A similar ceremony was held in Karachi, where a PAF contingent led by Air Vice Marshal Azhar Hasan Rizvi, and the Southern Air Command air officer commanding offered prayers and laid floral wreath at the grave of pilot officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) on behalf of the air chief. Floral wreaths were also laid on the graves of PAF Shuhada throughout the country.
Poignant play at RAC
A play, titled “Shaheed-e-Watan”, was presented at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) to celebrate the Defence Day of Pakistan in memory of those who laid down their lives in the 1965 war, informed a press release.
The play, written by Rana Kashif and directed by Amin Shahzad, is based on the story of a rural family whose sole son is recruited in the army. The son reaches the rank of a Major and is married to his cousin, whom he loves dearly.
At the day of their marriage, the war of 1965 starts and he is called back on duty and sent on the eastern border where he is martyred while fighting the enemy. His parents and wife are proud of his sacrifice.
The cast includes Rana Kashif, Naeem Buba, Azhar Feroz, Reha Yousaf, Naeem Tota, Shahid Kodo, Laiba Ali Arshad Khan and Shujaat Humayun.
Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb, expressing her views on the occasion, said martyrdom is not bestowed to everybody as martyrs live forever. She said RAC has done a great deed in presenting such a wonderful and emotional play to show solidarity with Pakistan Army.
Member Punjab Assembly Tehseen Fawad said participants gained important knowledge of the 1965 war through the drama. RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed congratulated the actors and director of the play at the concluding ceremony.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2014.
A ceremony was held at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad in which PAF Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt laid floral wreath and offered prayers at the Martyrs’ Monument. Principal staff officers and a high number of airmen attended the ceremony. The day started with special prayers and a Quran Khwani for the martyrs of 1965 and 1971 wars and those who laid down their lives in action since the creation of Pakistan.
A similar ceremony was held in Karachi, where a PAF contingent led by Air Vice Marshal Azhar Hasan Rizvi, and the Southern Air Command air officer commanding offered prayers and laid floral wreath at the grave of pilot officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) on behalf of the air chief. Floral wreaths were also laid on the graves of PAF Shuhada throughout the country.
Poignant play at RAC
A play, titled “Shaheed-e-Watan”, was presented at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) to celebrate the Defence Day of Pakistan in memory of those who laid down their lives in the 1965 war, informed a press release.
The play, written by Rana Kashif and directed by Amin Shahzad, is based on the story of a rural family whose sole son is recruited in the army. The son reaches the rank of a Major and is married to his cousin, whom he loves dearly.
At the day of their marriage, the war of 1965 starts and he is called back on duty and sent on the eastern border where he is martyred while fighting the enemy. His parents and wife are proud of his sacrifice.
The cast includes Rana Kashif, Naeem Buba, Azhar Feroz, Reha Yousaf, Naeem Tota, Shahid Kodo, Laiba Ali Arshad Khan and Shujaat Humayun.
Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb, expressing her views on the occasion, said martyrdom is not bestowed to everybody as martyrs live forever. She said RAC has done a great deed in presenting such a wonderful and emotional play to show solidarity with Pakistan Army.
Member Punjab Assembly Tehseen Fawad said participants gained important knowledge of the 1965 war through the drama. RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed congratulated the actors and director of the play at the concluding ceremony.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2014.