Remembrance Day service held at Australian High Commission

Islamabad

The Australian High Commission on Friday hosted the annual Remembrance Day service, observed by Commonwealth Countries since the end of World War I, to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.

High commissioners, ambassadors, senior military representatives, representatives from the international community and serving and former members of the armed forces from Commonwealth countries attended the event.

The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Margaret Adamson, said Remembrance Day was not to glorify war, but to honour the selfless sacrifice made by so many in defence of shared values and traditions.

“We must never forget the fallen and the victims of past conflicts. Today's and future generations are bound to strive for a world where all peoples can live together in peace, respect and harmony, and honour the sacrifices of those lost or maimed in conflicts,” Ms Adamson said.

After observing one minute of silence in respect for the fallen, the ceremony ended with the traditional laying of wreaths.  Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day and Veterans Day, is observed on 11 November by Commonwealth countries and other WW-I allies to recall the end of hostilities of WW-I on that date in 1918 and to remember the fallen then and since. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente.

The period 2014-2018 marks the Centenary of WW-I. Around 16.5 million people lost their lives and approximately 20 million people were injured.