Police Martyrs Day (Youm-e-Shuhada) is being observed with great reverence nationwide today (August 4) to pay tribute to the sacrifices of cops who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
In the days leading up to the Martyrs Day, rallies were taken out across the country to commemorate the sacrifices of police martyrs and express solidarity with the bereaved families.
In Hyderabad, local police marked the occasion by holding candle light vigil in two separate events on Thursday, which was attended by police officials and notable citizens.
Hyderabad Region police has also organised a commemorative event to mark the day today, where Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) AD Khawaja would be the chief guest. Families of the martyred policemen would also be attending the event.
In Attock, a rally started from DPO office and culminated at Fawara Chowk on Thursday, with participants holding photographs and banners inscribed with messages highlighting the sacrifices of the police force.
DC Rana Akbar Hayat and DPO Zahid Nawaz Marwat, addressing the rally, paid tribute to the martyrs and declared them heroes of the police and the nation. They said police would leave no stone unturned to eliminate crimes and purge the area of criminals and anti-social elements.
In Lahore, IGP Punjab Capt (retd) Arif Nawaz Khan said the department was proud of its martyrs who sacrificed their lives to end terrorism and crimes, and protect the lives of people.
Addressing a candlelit vigil at Liberty Roundabout to pay tribute to the police martyrs, he said the martyrs were assets of the country.
"Sacrifices of our martyrs will not go to waste and the terrorists will fail in downing our morale", the IGP said.
He said well-being of the families of police martyrs was our responsibility, which would be fulfilled at every cost.
The participants also offered ‘Dua’ for the martyrs.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police announced on Thursday its ‘Shaheed Package’ has been doubled. The KP government has increased the total package for a constable and head constable, including cash, plot and other benefits, from Rs 4.4 million to Rs 10 million. The package of inspectors, sub inspectors and assistant sub inspectors has also been increased to Rs 10 million, The News reported.
Also, the ‘Shaheed Package’ for a deputy superintendent of police or ASP has been increased to Rs 15 million, and that of superintendent of police, SSP and Deputy inspector general to Rs 20 million.
In Quetta, Balochistan governorMuhammad Khan Achakzai and Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Aamir Riaz attended a ceremony held to commemorate the day. Families of the martyred policemen were also present on the occasion.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa saluted the martyred of the police and their brave families and said their sacrifices shall not go to waste.
“Salute to Suhadas of Police and their brave families from Pak Armed Forces. ‘Our sacrifices shall not go waste’, COAS,” DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted on Friday.
The Martyrs Day is being observed for the third consecutive year on the death anniversary of Shaheed Safwat Ghayur, the then-commandant of Frontier Constabulary KP Police who was martyred in a suicide attack on his vehicle near the paramilitary force headquarters on August 4, 2010.
Commandant FC Liaquat Ali along with FC contingents visited the grave of Shaheed Safwat Ghayur on Friday, where they gave a guard of honour to the slain hero and offered fatiha, laid wreath over his grave.
Addressing media later, Commandant FC Liaquat Ali said 356 personnel of the FC have been martyred in the war against terrorism and 551 injured.
He said the jawan have participated bravely in different operations and their efforts and sacrifices have led to an improvement in the peace and security situation in the region.
With additional input from APP