ANKARA, MAY 16 /DNA/ – An event was organized at the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara to observe Youm-e-Tashakur with the participation of Pakistani community. The day is being observed to express gratitude to Allah Almighty for the magnificent success and victory of Pakistan against Indian aggression and pay homage to the Armed Forces and Pakistani nation over the victory in ‘Operation Bunanu-um-Marsoos’ and ‘Marka-e-Haq’.  

While speaking on the occasion , Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid stated that after Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan called for a neutral, impartial and credible investigation—a call that earned strong global support. However, India didn’t accept and committed an unforgivable act of aggression, launching unprovoked attacks on Pakistani soil, in which innocent lives including women and children were lost. This was not just an assault on Pakistan; it was a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian principles, he added. 

The ambassador highlighted that exercising sovereign right to self-defense, Pakistan responded with Operation ‘Bunanu-um-Marsoos’, after Pakistan’s military air bases were attacked by India.  The operation successfully targeted high value military targets in India and wrote a golden chapter in the military history, while foiling the evil designs of the enemy. 

Ambassador Junaid expressed his deep gratitude to the Turkish nation, who under the guidance of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan in this testing time. 

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Junaid commended the able political leadership of Pakistan, bravery and professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and the dignified nation of Pakistan, for standing like a fortified wall and shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 16: Thirty-one-gun salute takes place after Fajr prayer in Islamabad, 21-gun salute at provincial capitals to mark the day. The Youm-e-Tashakur ceremony gets underway in Islamabad at Pakistan Monument to celebrate ‘Marka-e-Haq’ (period of conflict with India from April 22-May 10) against India.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is the chief guest of the ceremony, while services chiefs and the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee are in attendance.

•            David Lammy visits Pakistan to welcome ceasefire and make clear that further conflict is in nobody’s interest

•            Visit used to reassert that peace and security are the cornerstones of the UK’s relationship with Pakistan that will protect growth and prosperity for Brits, Pakistanis and the wider region

•            Foreign Secretary meets and thanks consular staff who provided support and advice to Brits during peak of tensions

LAHORE, MAY 16 /DNA/ – The UK Government welcomed the sustained ceasefire between Pakistan and India, both important partners to the UK, with the Foreign Secretary asserting the importance of continued stability for the region during a visit to Pakistan today (Friday 16 May). 

The Foreign Secretary praised the steps taken by both Pakistan and India to secure an agreement to cease hostilities. In meetings with senior counterparts, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Foreign Secretary highlighted the immeasurable contribution people of Pakistani descent have made to British life and he acknowledged how distressing the past few weeks have been for people in both countries, and for those with Pakistani and Indian heritage in the UK. The Foreign Secretary reflected that the British Pakistani and British Indian diasporas would particularly welcome news of the ceasefire and increased stability for Pakistan and India.  

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: 

 “The images of conflict between India and Pakistan were distressing for all of us in Britain: but in particular the millions of Brits with Indian and Pakistani heritage, and the many British nationals living in both of these countries. Ever since the horrendous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the UK has done all it can to play a supportive role to reduce tensions, get to a ceasefire and condemn terrorism. 

 “It’s positive that India and Pakistan – both great friends to the UK – have agreed to a pause in hostilities and that the ceasefire is holding.  

 “Because of the deep and historic links between our populations and our governments we are determined to play our part to counter terrorism and ensure this fragile ceasefire becomes a durable peace.” 

 The UK and Pakistan have an important history of working closely together on ensuring regional security and stability. This relationship is key to the Government’s mission to deliver the Plan for Change and unlock growth and prosperity for Brits and Pakistanis alike. 

 The Foreign Secretary has also been in frequent contact with the Government of India, having engaged with his counterpart yesterday (15^th May), and will look to travel to New Delhi soon to build upon the strength of the UK-India relationship.  

While in Islamabad the Foreign Secretary also met with consular staff working at the UK’s High Commission who helped British nationals in Pakistan during the tensions, to ensure they had access to accurate, up to date information and advice. 

LONDON, MAY 16: /DNA/ – In an impressive ceremony held at Pakistan House, London, the Pakistani community in UK celebrated the Youm-e-Tashakur (the Day of Gratitude), to mark the heroic victory in operation Bunyan Marsoos (the Iron Wall).

The High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK, Dr. Mohammad Faisal hoisted the National Flag. A large number of Pakistani community, Kashmiris, officials of Pakistan High Commission, London and media representatives also attended the ceremony.

In his keynote address, the High Commissioner stated that the entire Pakistani nation stood tall at a proud and historic moment where the nation has shown the world that no force, no aggression, and no provocation can undermine the foundations of our sovereignty and unshakable national resolve.

Dr. Faisal paid rich tribute to Pakistan’s heroic armed forces; who stood as an unyielding shield to defend our sacred land. With unmatched courage and supreme dedication, they upheld the dignity and honour of the green and white flag, stated the High Commissioner.

The High Commissioner stated that Pakistan reaffirms unwavering solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who continue to face hardship and oppression with unmatched courage and determination. Their struggle for their just and legitimate right to self-determination remains close to the heart of every Pakistani.

Dr. Faisal emphasized that Pakistan has always desired for peaceful coexistence in the region, yet let it be known with absolute clarity that any act of aggression against Pakistan will be met with a response that is stronger, swifter and more resolute than ever before.

Special prayers were also held, after Jumma, for the armed forces and prosperity of Pakistan.

RAWALPINDI, MAY 16 /DNA/ – A dignified ceremony of thanksgiving was held at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) to commemorate the historic victory of Operation Bunyān-um-Marsoos. The event featured a flag hoisting ceremony and was attended by Station Commander Brigadier Ahmad Nawaz as the chief guest.

RCCI President Mr. Usman Shaukat, Group Leader Mr. Sohail Altaf, Patron-in-Chief of Sweet Homes Mr. Zamurrad Khan, former Station Commander Brigadier (R) Ijaz Qamar Kayani, representatives of the traders’ community, and RCCI office bearers participated in the ceremony.

Brigadier Ahmad Nawaz, along with the dignitaries, hoisted the national flag to honor the achievements of Pakistan’s armed forces. During the ceremony, speakers paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers, air force pilots, and naval officers for their outstanding courage and sacrifices.

The event resonated with patriotic slogans and a renewed commitment to national unity. The participants hailed the operation as a significant triumph, declaring that the enemy was dealt a humiliating defeat, and the entire nation stood firmly behind the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Speaking on the occasion, RCCI President Usman Shaukat urged the nation to offer thanks to Almighty Allah for this great success. “The entire nation stood like a solid wall in support of its armed forces,” he said.

Group Leader Sohail Altaf remarked that the Pakistan Armed Forces gave a resolute and befitting response to Indian aggression. “The enemy was forced to abandon its posts. We can never thank Allah enough for this victory,” he added.

Pakistan has denied involvement in IIOJK attack, but accord hasn’t been revived despite ceasefire

DNA

ISLAMABAD: India is considering plans to dramatically increase the water it draws from a major river that feeds Pakistani farms downstream, as part of retaliatory action for a deadly April attack on tourists that New Delhi blames on Islamabad, according to four people familiar with the matter.

Delhi suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which governs the usage of the Indus river system, shortly after 26 civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were killed.

Pakistan has denied involvement in the incident, but the accord has not been revived despite the two nuclear-armed neighbours agreeing on a ceasefire last week following the worst fighting between them in decades.

After the April 22 attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered officials to expedite the planning and execution of projects on the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus rivers, three bodies of water in the Indus system that are designated primarily for Pakistan’s use.

One of the key plans under discussion involves doubling to 120km the length of the Ranbir canal on the Chenab, which runs through India to Pakistan’s agricultural powerhouse of Punjab, two of the people said. The canal was built in the 19th century, long before the treaty was signed.

India is permitted to draw a limited amount of water from the Chenab for irrigation, but an expanded canal — which experts said could take years to construct — would allow it to divert 150 cubic metres of water per second, up from about 40 cubic metres currently, the four people said, citing official discussions and documents they had seen.

Details of the Indian government’s deliberations on expanding Ranbir have not previously been reported. The discussions started last month and continue even after the ceasefire, one of the people said.

The Indian ministries responsible for water and foreign affairs, as well as Modi’s office, did not respond to Reuters’ questions. Indian hydropower giant NHPC, which operates many projects in the Indus system, also did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Modi said in a fiery speech this week that “water and blood cannot flow together,” though he didn’t refer to the treaty. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters Tuesday that India “will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism”.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told lawmakers this week that the government had written to India arguing that suspending the treaty was unlawful and that Islamabad regarded it as remaining in force.

Islamabad said after India suspended the treaty in April that it considered “any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan” to be an “act of war.”

About 80% of Pakistani farms depend on the Indus system, as do nearly all hydropower projects serving the country of some 250 million.

Any efforts by Delhi to build dams, canals or other infrastructure that would withhold or divert a significant amount of flow from the Indus system to India “would take years to realise,” said water security expert David Michel of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

But Pakistan has had a preview of the kind of pressure it could face from India: Water at a key receiving point in Pakistan briefly fell by as much as 90% in early May after India started maintenance work on some Indus projects.

BIRATNAGAR, MAY 16 /DNA/ – In a recently new development, the Nepal T-10 Cricket tournament  announced the onboarding of Tennis Ball Cricket Premier League (TBCPL 10 )as Title Sponsor ahead of the Nepal T10 tournament leg . The Nepal T-10 Cricket tournament is scheduled to take place from May 18 to May 24, 2025 at the MBJ Cricket Ground, Biratnagar-6 while featuring seven competitive franchise teams namely  NBSC Lion, Agro Vet Cricket Club, Biratnagar Cricket Club & Academy, Biratnagar Panthers, United Lion Heart, Mills Cricket Club and Koshi Pride.

For TBCPL 10, fronting the exciting partnership with Nepal Premier League as the title sponsor represents comprehensive support across all promotional initiatives of the Nepal T10 tournament.  Formalizing this prestigious tournament and sponsorship alliance, the Nepal Cricket Association has officially sanctioned and approved the matches to be hosted in Biratnagar, Nepal.

Speaking at the unveiling of their partnership with the Nepal T10 cricket tournament, a TBCPL 10 spokesperson expressed his enthusiasm stating, ” With our involvement in the Nepal T-10, we truly believe that we are establishing our global presence. This partnership reflects our commitment to promoting grassroots cricket internationally.”

TBCPL 10 is widely recognized as a transformative initiative in the professional organization of tennis ball cricket, bringing structure and excitement to a format long cherished by street cricket enthusiasts. This groundbreaking competition, supported by what industry experts describe as the world’s most sustainable cricket business model, aims to elevate recreational tennis ball cricket into a professional sporting spectacle.