Terror fails to break Pakistan’s spirit

• Punjab Rangers decide to hold ceremony after previously announcing to suspend it for three days of mourning
• India reciprocates Pakistan’s ‘late evening’ request by carrying out partial ceremony but without their general public

Just a day after the carnage that claimed at least 60 lives in a suicide attack near the Wagah border crossing between Pakistan and India, a large number of people showed up at the venue again on Monday as the Punjab Rangers decided to carry out the traditional flag-lowering ritual at the border despite the tragic incident that left a pall of gloom across the country.

The Punjab Rangers had earlier announced to suspend the flag lowering ceremony for three days, but on Monday a Rangers spokesman announced that the ceremony will be held as per routine and citizens will be welcomed. The spokesman said that decision had been taken to boost the morale of the nation.

Citizens reached the parade venue in large numbers along with their children and families to witness the ceremony.

With chants of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’ in the background, the largely participated event gave a clear and sound message to terrorists that the country was standing tall and brave and could by no means be weakened.

People cheered Punjab Rangers personnel during the ceremony and kept on with slogans of ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan’ (long live Pakistan).

“Terrorists cannot deter the resolve of this brave nation,” Muhammad Amir, a citizen said.

“Our morale is high and we are here with our children,” said Zubair Ahmed, another citizen.

Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Zaman and the director general Punjab Rangers also witnessed the ceremony. Earlier, both the officials reviewed the security arrangements and expressed their satisfaction.

Talking to reporters, Lt Gen Naveed Zaman said, “No one can take away passion and bravery possessed by Pakistanis.”

He praised the Punjab Rangers for holding the flag-lowering ceremony despite the looming threats.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa, in a tweet, said that the massive attendance at the Wagah ceremony proved that the nation is not afraid of terrorists and is united in its fight against terrorism.

“Flag lowering ceremony at #Wagah Border held with same fervor, shows resolve of the nation. We stand united to eliminate Terrorism,” he tweeted.

INDIA ACCEPTS REQUEST:

Before the Punjab Rangers announced their decision to conduct the daily ritual at Wagah border crossing, the Indian Home Ministry said that its Border Security Force had agreed to a Pakistani request to suspend the flag-lowering ceremony to allow mourning.

Had the Punjab Rangers suspended Monday’s ceremony, it would have been the first time the colourful parade would have been called off since the two countries went to war in 1971.

Two kilometres before the border, Indian police stopped tourists from entering the area on Monday. Four buses carrying 180 people including students on a trip from Agra to see the border ceremonies were stopped and decided to go back, Indian media reports said.

However, the Indian Border Security Force responded to a late evening communication by Punjab Rangers to carry out the ceremony.

“We were told about 4pm by Pakistan Rangers that they would want to carry out the evening ceremony ruling out their yesterday’s wish to stop the ceremony for three days. As it was late for us to carry out the full-fledged drill our troops conducted a scaled-down procedure without the public,” BSF chief DK Pathak told PTI.

“We will be holding the full ceremony from tomorrow evening with the audience in attendance,” he said.