On the Defence Day of Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production undertook a visit to pay homage to the heroes and martyrs of the Pakistan Armed Forces in line with its policy and work plan. The delegation was headed by the chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain, and consisted of other members of the committee including Senator Farhat ullah Babar, Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Senator Sehar Kamran, and Senator Sardar Ali Khan. Senator Nisar Muhammad Khan also participated voluntarily and Mr. Amjad Perveiz, Special Secretary Senate was also present. The Committee visited the burial site of Shaheed Capt. Karnal Sher Khan, situated in Swabi, district of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province.
The Chairman and Members of the Committee were escorted by an officer of the Pakistan Army especially deputed as per coordination and arrangements with the Inter Services Public Relations. On arrival at Swabi, senior officers of the Pakistan Army as well as local administration received the Committee. The family members including Father and Brother of Shaheed Capt. Karnal Sher Khan were present along with a number of other local notables, and relatives. Brig. Faisal Mushtaq, Commander 11 Core Logistics, also joined for the special ceremony.
The Chairman of the Committee, who had been actively involved in the award of the Nishan-e-Haider to Shaheed Capt. Karnal Sher Khan in 1999 as Federal Information Minister, shared with the Members of the family and other participants of the gathering, the story of bravery and sacrifice of the Shaheed which was duly acknowledged even by the enemies. Following this the Chairman and Members of the Committee participated in the special formal ceremony of laying wreath on the grave of the Shaheed and offered Fatiha.
After the formal ceremony, the Chairman of the Committee while addressing the gathering and the media said that the visit of the Committee was in line with the policy and action plan adopted under his Chairmanship whereby the Committee was playing the role of bridging the gap between Khaki and Mufti. He said that the visit was another step to show solidarity with the brave soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in the defence of the country as the Committee had earlier visited families of Shaheeds of Gayari Sector. He also added that it was possible for the Committee to visit any site around Islamabad but the Committee decided to visit Swabi to especially acknowledge the sacrifices being rendered by the people and Forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province.
The Chairman Committee, after consultation with other Members and the representatives of the Pakistan Army, announced that a museum and library may be established adjacent to the burial side. He asked the Members of the family and the local notables to submit a proposal in this regard to Senator Sardar Ali Khan who will follow up with the Federal and Provincial Governments for necessary funds and other facilitation.
While talking to Brig. Faisal Mushtaq, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed suggested that he may take up the case for collaboration in establishment of museum and library as well as convey the desire of the Committee to undertake a visit of North Waziristan.
The father of the Shaheed, speaking on the occasion, thanked the Committee especially its Chairman Mushahid Hussain Syed for visiting and showing solidarity. He said that Capt. Karnal Sher Khan belonged to everyone as a Shaheed and holder of Nishan-e-Haider. In the end, the Chairman of the Committee Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed thanked the family members of the Shaheed, Jawans and Officers of the Pakistan Army who conducted the ceremony and ISPR for coordination and appreciated the arrangements made.
Same version of the article appeared in Senate defence committee Website