ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Government has declared 16 May as ‘National Thanksgiving Day’ to honour the people of Pakistan and the Armed Forces, and to commemorate a “historic victory” in the battle for truth ‘Marka-e-Haq’.
The day will begin with the recitation of the holy Qur’an and special prayers in mosques across the country. There will be a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.
Ceremonies for the changing of the guards will be held at the mausoleums of Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi and Allama Iqbal in Lahore. Flag hoisting ceremonies will take place in both federal and provincial capitals.
Across the nation, flower wreaths will be laid at memorials of martyrs, and prayer ceremonies will be held.
Special meetings with the families of the martyrs of Operation Bunyānun Marsūs will be arranged to pay tribute to their sacrifices. The main Thanksgiving ceremony will be held on Friday night at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad.
Prominent figures from all walks of life will participate in the ceremony. The Prime Minister will be the chief guest, while the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and chiefs of the armed forces will also be in attendance.
Pakistan, India agree to ceasefire
Nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India agreed on a ceasefire on Saturday following the US pressure and four days of intense fighting.
Trump on Sunday praised the leadership of Pakistan and India for agreeing to a ceasefire, pledging to support efforts toward a resolution of the Kashmir dispute and to increase trade substantially with both nations.
In a message posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump called the agreement “historic and heroic” and said both countries had shown “strength, wisdom, and fortitude” by halting what he described as escalating aggression.
This recent escalation marked the worst fighting between the long-time South Asian rivals in nearly three decades, raising fears of a full-scale war in one of the world’s most volatile and densely populated regions.
Tensions escalated after a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack, though it offered no concrete evidence. Pakistan strongly rejected the allegations.
In retaliation, India took a series of aggressive measures, including closing the Wagah border, cancelling visas, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty—actions Pakistan denounced as “acts of war.” The situation further deteriorated with India launching missile strikes and drone incursions under what it termed “Operation Sindoor.”
Pakistan responded with “Operation Bunyānun Marsūs,” during which its military reportedly shot down five Indian fighter jets—including Rafale aircraft—and intercepted 77 Israeli-manufactured Harop drones.
