Opinion: Youm-e-Shuhada – A Tribute (Accounts from the Field)

by Mariam Shah

Youm-e-Shuhada – A Tribute

“Life’s no life when honor’s left;

Man’s a man when honor’s kept.

Nation’s honor and nation’s fame,

On life they have a prior claim.

With thoughts of these I do remain;

With cares of loss or gain.”

Lost in the whirls of our own spheres, fighting our own little battles, completely enmeshed in the plenteous luxuries of our lives, we often utterly fail to recognize those who silently vanish for the sake of this land. We never realize their precious existence nor do we ever think that they have gone far from this place, for our well-being, in order to shelter us.

30^th April is marked as “Youm-e-Shuhada”, a day to pay tribute to all those defenders, Ghazis and Martyrs of this land, who scarified their lives for the honor of this green flag. It’s a day to honor all the Ghazis for their innumerable sacrifices, to honor the families of the martyrs and to express our gratitude to all the defenders whether in khaki, up in the wild skies or deep down in the unfathomable oceans. They never make us aware of their presence; they just keep themselves steadfast on their mission because of their motto “Iman, Taqwa and Jihad-e-fisabilillah”.

Youm-e-Shuhada was primarily introduced to honor the Martyrs and Ghazis of Pakistan Armed Forces, particularly those who served and embraced martyrdom in the war on terror. Pakistan is fighting this war on terror for almost a decade now, and it has changed the overall scenario of the country including the military, the political, the geostrategic and the economical. In doing so, there is a great loss of military personals and civilian lives, and destruction of the national infrastructure and the internal peace of the country. Pakistan is the main victim of this war on terror, as it has affected the ideology, nation’s unity, along with heavy damages to the national assets and the loss of precious human lives. The role of the army in this war is major and appreciable. According to Inter Services Public Relations, around 3620 soldiers have died and around 11640 were wounded from 2001 to 2012.

I had a chance to meet a few Ghazis, who selflessly and bravely fought in different operations in Swat, Bajour, Waziristan and Timargarha. When asked about this war, they replied that this war is more hard and difficult than a conventional one. There are no defined frontiers, war is everywhere, there is no local/national support, enemy is neither clear nor identified, and there is uncertainty everywhere. It was stressed by the soldiers that the enemy is taking advantage of the lack in our unity, and it’s an effort by the enemy to create conflicts among our sects and society. During our conversation, I very easily saw the hidden tears in their eyes; I heard them crying for this Pakistan while being silent, I saw them broken while being so composed. The entire present situation in the country has made stronger our armed forces, but on the other hand it has revealed to them very harsh truths, the insensitivity towards them, the neglect, and the blindness of the nation towards their sacrifices.

When I asked them their perception of the enemy, it was again a common observation of the combatants that the enemy is heavily foreign sponsored, multinational and that they have absolutely no understanding of Islam, rather they are misusing Islam for their own purposes. To harm Pakistan and the ideology is one of the aims of the enemy. I noticed a lot of determination and vigor when they all talked about rooting out the enemy from Pakistan. I saw them broken yet stronger, sad yet proud, when they talked about their comrades who lost their lives in operations. They felt proud of their tenures; they felt as chosen ones to fight for their country, they felt that it’s the duty of a soldier to fight; they felt lucky to be a part of this war as they were not left out when needed. Almost all of the soldiers felt that the lack of unity and the insensitivity of the nation towards the sacrifices made by them is discouraging and depressing for the soldiers.

When asked about the future, they responded that most of the operations were a success, but there is a need for a political mode to solve this problem completely. In the end of my discussions with them, I was convinced that whatever we say or do, it’s for sure that we can never pay back the sacrifices of our soldiers, of our armed forces. Sometimes for the sake of this land, they go beyond their duties and obligations.

مٹی کی محبت میں ہم آشفتہ سروں نے

وہ قرض اٹھائے ہیں جو واجب بھی نہیں تھے

~ Matti ki mohabbat me hum aashufta srro’n ne,

Wo qarz utaray hain jo wajib bhi nahi thay

In this month, our army had a major operation in Tirah Valley in which more than 30 soldiers were martyred, but our media very efficiently and deliberately undermined this whole effort; as a result most of the nation remained unaware about this whole episode and the sacrifices offered. We, as a nation, don’t actually know how to honor our heroes, and our media has played an extensive role in making us insensitive towards the sacrifices made by our armed forces.

I sometimes really fear the increasing detachment and coldness of our people towards every single life laid for them. Most of the critics are poisoned and inclined towards counting the pensions, plots and houses being given as compensation to the bereaved families. Did they ever think that thousands of mothers have received wrapped coffins of their young sons? Did they ever think that many wives are left to wait for their partners for the whole of their lives? Did they ever give it a thought that many children will now feel the presence of their beloved fathers just through their uniforms? Did they ever? Martyrs have paid the price with their blood, and there is no match to it. Can anyone imagine the pain through which the martyr’s families go when they witness the nation’s insensitivity and impassiveness towards the sacrifices made by their dear ones?

To demean, to criticize, to defame, and to insult is painless; but to be hit by bullets, to become handicapped by losing limbs, to see your father, son, husband, or brother suffering in endless pain is not simple. It takes a heart to bear all this, but we can at least recognize their sacrifices, give their status back to them and count them among our heroes. Those lonely brave souls, guarding the borders in the chilling temperature far from the life, die unmarked, unknown, without voicing a word. Whether we accept it or not, we hardly know what many patriots are doing for this land, and sometimes we are such misers who are not even ready to pat their backs for the tasks they are doing. With the passage of time, we have created a world of our own, where we deliberately refuse to accept what others are doing for us.  I wish we can realize the importance, the value of this freedom and the price being paid for this freedom, every single second. Thousands are soaking their khaki uniforms with their blood for this country. I wish we can honor our soldiers, 365 days a year, and not just one single day. We owe nothing less than our lives, our own peace to these Martyrs, Ghazis and their families.

This land is guarded by the brave sons; it cannot be ever harmed by the evil eyes. Innumerable sacrifices have been made by the nation for the up-keeping of the national pride, sovereignty and integrity; and countless more are ready to spill their blood. This proud green flag Insha’Allah will be fluttering high and we will never let it fall.

I ask nothing more

Than to die in my country;

To dissolve and merge with the grass,

To give life to a flower

That a child of my country will pick.

All I ask

Is to remain in the bosom of my country,

As soil,

Grass,

A flower.

(Fadwa Tuqan)