Lieutenant Yasir Abbas, who was martyred in the PNS Mehran Base, Karachi terrorist attack, was laid to rest at the Askari 10 graveyard with full honour on Tuesday.
Punjab Governor Latif Khosa, Punjab Assembly (PA) Deputy Speaker Rana Mashood, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Khawaja Saad Rafique, Punjab Food Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, armed forces personnel and others attended the funeral.
Mixed emotions were seen during the funeral, as people from all walks of life condoled with Yasir’s bereaved family. Although the family had shifted to Askari 10 Scheme only six months ago, residents of the colony in large numbers participated in the funeral.
High security was seen in all areas of Cantt. The Askari 10 Scheme management did not allow anyone in with out an identity card and check posts were established to ensure foolproof security.
Separately, Yasir’s family demanded the Nishaan-e-Haider, the highest military award of the country, for the young martyr, as he exhibited the same courage like that of Rashid Minhas, who was awarded the highest military award. Getting emotional, all family members, including his three sisters, parents and uncles said that Yasir deserved the Nishaan-e-Haider.
Yasir’s father Colonel (r) Jafar Abbas said that his only son was quite eligible for the top award. He said that it would be a great injustice if Yasir was not awarded the honour. Yasir’s mother and sisters said that the Pakistan Army is the best force in the world.
They said that such incidents were intended to demoralise the army. “Lieutenant Yasir did not bow down to terrorists and sacrificed his life with honour and dignity. He fought until his last breath and did not let the army down. He must be awarded the Nishaan-e-Haider, as he was a soldier to be always remembered”, they said.