In this post
- PAF Museum, Karachi
- Nishan-e-Pakistan, Karachi
- Karachi War Cemetery
- Yadgar-e-Shuhada, Lahore
- Batapur Monument, Lahore
Pakistan was borne out of a necessity for a separate homeland for Muslims which created conflicts in undivided India. Therefore, its continuous survival has asked for unmatched resilience by its armed forces. Pakistan Army, the sixth largest in the world, together with the other armed forces of the country, has kept the entire country together and protected it from any external aggression that threatens the survival of the state. And the state has befittingly valued the sacrifices of its brave soldiers and commemorated them all throughout the country in the form of war memorials in Pakistan.
Pakistan Air Force Museum, Karachi: A prominent war memorial in Pakistan
This museum honors the names of all PAF officials who were martyred during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak Wars. The museum’s newly-installed Shuhuda Monument depicts PAF’s proud history of sacrifice, valour and professionalism. It pays homage to brave sons of the soil who have always responded to the call of the nation with unparalleled courage for a cause greater than life which is the defence of Motherland.
PAF holds its Shuhada and war veterans in highest esteem as they sacrificed their today for our tomorrow. Each name engraved on this monument is a complete chapter in itself of PAF’s illustrious history in all its grandeur as this monument is not merely a structure of bricks rather it will help instil the heroic spirit of our Shuhada in our future generations by fuelling their passion for sacrifice their nationhood and professionalism.
Archives Gallery at PAF Museum houses rare relics like Viking, Quaid-e-Azam’s aircraft, an Indian Gnat aircraft which was forced to land at Pasroor in 1965 war and many more. There are four sub-galleries inside; one depicts the history of aerial warfare through model aircraft and paintings while the other one shows different fighter aircraft models of the world.
Two galleries are dedicated to the “SHUHUDA” and heroes of 1965 and 1971 wars. One gallery that has recently been developed is dedicated to the ‘Operation Swift Retort’.
Nishan-e-Pakistan
Nishan-e-Pakistan is a national solidarity monument in Clifton Beach of the city of Karachi in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It became the second tallest flagpole in Pakistan after a taller flag pole was installed on the Wagha Border on the occasion of Independence Day in 2017.
Nishan-e-Pakistan was inaugurated on April 29th, 2016 by the Governor of Sindh at the time, Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, and Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar.
Karachi War Cemetery
Located a few miles away from Central Karachi, The Karachi War Cemetery was created to receive World War II dead from cemeteries scattered across the country, as it was felt that their proper maintenance could not be assured.
The cemetery contains 642 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. The KARACHI 1939-45 WAR MEMORIAL forms the entrance to Karachi War Cemetery. It commemorates more than 25,000 servicemen of the forces of undivided India who died during the Second World War in non-operational zones. Their remains were accorded the last rites and disposal required by their various religions and their names are commemorated at memorials in Delhi and Karachi. No names appear on the memorials but a Roll of Honour at each site, one in Hindi, the other in Urdu, record the names of those commemorated. Karachi War Cemetery also contains the KARACHI 1914-18 MEMORIAL, commemorating 568 men who served in garrisons and died in Pakistan (formerly India) during the First World War and who lie buried in civil and cantonment cemeteries where their graves could no longer be maintained.
The cemetery is maintained by the U.K.-based Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which also takes care of scores of war cemeteries across the globe.
In 2016, British Deputy High Commissioner Ms Belinda Lewis, Defence Adviser Brigadier Murray Whiteside and British Naval and Air Adviser Group Captain John Alexander attended the Remembrance Service at the Karachi War Cemetery.
Yadgar-e-Shuhada, Lahore
This is a more recent monument of Pakistan’s two Indo-Pak Wars of 1965 and 1971. In addition to these two wars, it also honors the martyrs of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the last stand against the terrorists in the region.
This is a solemn reminder of the lives that have already been lost, and continue to be sacrificed in keeping the country intact and safe from any external aggression that threatens the very cohesion of this country.
This spirit of sacrifice and unmatched determination is what is sung about in many of the national songs of Pakistan. On all national holidays, homage is paid to the nation’s armed forces which have worked tirelessly in protecting the country from all kinds of aggressive forces. Across war memorials in Pakistan, people gather and honor the martyrs.
In commemoration of these heroic acts, other smaller monuments also exist all around the country.
Batapur Monument
East of Lahore where BRBL Canal intersects GT Road stands tall the Batapur Monument. It is a
tribute to the Battle of Batapur and shuhada. This is the last ditch stand by Pakistan against India on Sept. 6, 1965, a day which is remembered as Pakistan’s Defence Day.
The monument reads, “In this battlefield lies the blood of many unknown heroes belonging to different units.”
Other war monuments are:
- Lectern – Jhelum by Khalid Mahmood
- Shuhada Monument (Pak-India wars), Sharda, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
- Shuhada Monument – Skardu Road
This was our detailed guide on all war memorials in Pakistan and their significance. To relive the spirit of freedom and the cost it carries, you should visit it soon.
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