Islamabad: Nation observed Youm-e-Tashakkur on Friday to celebrate victory in Operation Bunyanum-Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq. The day began with special prayers in mosques and recitation of the Holy Quran. A thirty-one gun salute followed the Fajr prayer in the federal capital, while a twenty-one gun salute marked the day in provincial capitals. Flag hoisting ceremonies and public rallies took place across the country as part of the celebrations.

According to Radio Pakistan, flag hoisting ceremonies were organized at Air Headquarters Islamabad, Badaber Base Peshawar, and PAF academies at Risalpur and Korangi, Karachi. Floral wreaths were laid at the memorials of martyrs, and Fateha was recited. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hoisted the national flag at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. He stated that Youm-e-Tashakkur is observed to thank Allah Almighty for Pakistan’s victory against India’s aggression and provocation. The Prime Minister emphasized that while Pakistan is peaceful, it reserves the right to defend itself.

In Lahore, a ceremony was held at Mazar-i-Iqbal. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan laid a wreath and offered Fateha. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif led a flag hoisting ceremony at the CM Secretariat with cabinet members. In Karachi, the ‘Battle of Truth’ rally took place at Sindh Secretariat, where Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah hoisted the national flag and announced compensation for families affected by the Indian attack.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi hoisted the national flag at Governor House, Peshawar. A ceremony at Kernal Sher Khan Shaheed’s mausoleum in Swabi included a floral wreath laying by Inspector General Frontier Corps North Anjum Riaz. In Gilgit Baltistan, ceremonies at Yaadgar-e-Shuhada in Skardu and Chinaar Bagh in Gilgit included flag hoisting by Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, who paid tribute to martyrs’ sacrifices.