LAST WEEK, Reading hosted a tribute to the armed forces that helped fend off an invasion of one of Pakistan’s biggest cities.
In 1965, the Indian Army invaded the Punjab region of Pakistan amid border disputes between the two former British Colonies.
According to Pakistan, the Indian Army was close to taking Lahore, the second biggest city in the country, but Pakistani forces were able to fend off the invasion on September 6 of that year, which has been celebrated in the country ever since.
To mark the occasion, an event was held at the Pakistan Community Centre in east Reading on Wednesday, September 27.
Dr Ejaz Elahi has lived in Reading for about 45 years after settling here as a student, and was a schoolboy in Lahore when the invasion took place.
“On the day it was very, very scary because we didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said.
“We could have been under Indian occupation. The army was rushed from other areas of the country to defend Lahore.
“I think they did a very good job, they put together a very fierce defence against the invading forces. On that day, Lahore particularly was saved, so this day is celebrated in that memory.”
Dr Elahi also recounted hearing aircraft dogfights during the clash between the two forces.
The event was hosted by Mian Saleem, a leading member of Reading Pakistan Community Centre.
It was also held to remember ‘martyrs and heroes’ who are defending Pakistan from the ongoing Taliban insurgency, Islamic State, and border disputes with India.
Mr Saleem said: “Pakistan has been on the frontlines, we’ve made a lot of successes but given a lot of sacrifices.
“These are the days when we remember these people, the armed forces who give their lives and their time.
“In our part of the world armies and police need to be quite strong to defend your country and borders. It has a long history of being destabilised so the stronger your army is, the stronger your country is.”
The event began with the national anthems of Pakistan and the UK. Then, Muslim prayers were sung by Imam Haroon Abasi of the Reading Islamic Centre.
The guest of honour was Dr Mohammad Faisal, the high commissioner for Pakistan to the UK, who was referred to as ‘His Excellency’ throughout.
Dr Faisal said: “I’m very grateful to the MP, distinguished guests, and all our friends that are here.
“This is the country you have chosen, so it’s very important that you work for success in this country and the uplift of this country, and also maintain your contact with Pakistan, your country of origin.
“I request that all of you please be good citizens here, make us proud here. I wish you all well, I’m very grateful that you have organised this very nice, family-orientated gathering, which is wonderful.”
After the speech, Cllr Amjad Tarar (Labour, Battle) sang a prayer before a meal was enjoyed by guests.
The event was attended by senior politicians, including the mayor of Reading, Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey), council leader Cllr Jason Brock (Labour, Southcote), Cllr Mohammad Ayub (Labour, Abbey) and Alderman Tony Jones.
Wokingham Borough councillors Shahid Younis (Conservative, Bulmershe & Whitegates) and Andy Croy (Labour, Bulmershe & Whitegates) also attended, along with Kamran Saddiq, the chairman of Reading Private Hire Association.
Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East gave a speech thanking community members and politicians on all sides for working together and implored those present to contact him with issues they face.
