GB people honour bravery of armed forces as ceasefire restores calm

GILGIT: A wave of patriotic fervour swept across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) on Sunday as people took to the streets to pay tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces for what many called a “heroic and professional” response to recent Indian aggression.

The rallies came after Pakistan and India agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire, a breakthrough that followed days of intense military exchanges and was first announced by US President Donald Trump.

Local people in GB, a region with deep strategic and emotional ties to the military, celebrated the ceasefire as a result of Pakistan’s strength and resolve — both diplomatically and on the battlefield. With tensions easing, rallies were held in multiple districts, showcasing overwhelming public support for the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and national leadership.

In Gilgit city, a major rally was organised by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) under the leadership of former chief minister and regional party president Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman. Scores of people, including party workers and local residents, marched through the city, raising slogans in support of the armed forces and against Indian aggression.

“Today we are proud to say that our forces have not only protected our skies but upheld our honour with unmatched courage and discipline,” Rehman said.

He also lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s role in managing the crisis with maturity and composure.

“The Prime Minister has projected Pakistan as a responsible power that values peace but he also knows how to respond to provocation with strength,” he added.

Another rally was held under the banner of Voice of GB, led by provincial government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq. Addressing a charged crowd of youth and civil society members, Faraq said: “Our mountains are witness to the loyalty we hold for our armed forces, who have once again proved that Pakistan is not to be underestimated.”

Faraq added that there can be no peace without dignity and deterrence.

The rallies echoed with powerful slogans like “Pakistan Zindabad”, “Pak Fauj Zindabad”, and “Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar” — a reflection of public morale and trust in the country’s defence institutions.

Youths, elders, political workers, and civil society activists participated across the region, turning the day into a public expression of unity and gratitude.