MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Kashmir government has announced to celebrate Youm-e-Tashakur (Thanksgiving Day) on Friday, September 19, to commemorate the defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” in Riyadh during the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom.
The key aspect of the agreement includes that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
“This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” the statement read.
To honor the historic pact, the President of AJK on Thursday approved the celebration of Youm-e-Tashakur on Friday across Azad Kashmir, according to the notification issued by the Religious Affairs and Auqaf Department.
The defense agreement is aimed at promoting regional integrity, peace, and stability in the Islamic world and strengthening the unity among Islamic countries, the notification added.
The department said that preachers and religious scholars will highlight the importance of Youm-e-Tashakur during Friday sermons and discuss the background and positive effects of the defence agreement.
“Mosques will hold special prayers after Friday prayers for the progress, prosperity, peace, and stability of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the Muslim Ummah,” it reads.
