Hearts were throbbing, the ground was shaking, turbans held high and rifles were saluting, where silence was supreme and yet each gesture was worth a thousand words. This is just a small glimpse of all what was happening at the Flag Lowering Ceremony at Joint Check Post Colonel Ghulam Hussain Shaheed.
It was neither a special occasion, nor we were celebrating any special day; it was a ritual which is repeated day after day, where one learns that how important our National Flag is and how it should be respected and honoured.
Joint Check Post Colonel Ghulam Hussain has a rich military heritage with unique historical background. Previously this post was known as (JCP) Ganda Singh Wala, which is actually the area near the post and its old name used to be Burj Khurd. The area was named after one of the leading Sikh warriors of the 18th Century called Ganda Singh, who was a part of the Ranjeet Singh's (Khalasa) army and was one of the commanders who kept siege against the British Army for many months in the famous battle of Multan.
Ganda Singh also took part in the Sikh War in 1848-49, (in Battle of Sutlej) and played a major role in the historical defeat of British Army in the famous Battle of Chilliyan Wala (Between Kharaian Cant, and Rasool Bairaj). Even though Ganda Singh was an instrumental commander for the Sikh's yet he was never for Islam, in fact he is known to convert some mosques into stables as well in his era. Therefore, on the Pakistan border, the JCP was called as JCP Ganda Singh Wala while surprisingly the JCP of India has a Muslim name; it is called JCP Hussaini Wala, named after the Hussaini Wala, Headworks.
The Pakistan Army especially the Rangers wanted that the name of JCP Ganda Singh Wala should be changed and re-named after a Pakistani Army Officer. Therefore, after due efforts in 2001, General Zarrar Azeem, who was Director General Pakistan Rangers at that time changed the name to JCP Colonel Ghulam Hussain Shaheed (Hilal-e-Jurat). Although the Indian Army never wanted change of name, as they thought the old name was both sacred and historic.
Colonel Ghulam Hussain Shaheed was the Commanding Officer of the Three-Regiment Punjab which attacked on Hussaini Wala in the Indo-Pak 1971 War. During the attack Colonel Ghulam Hussain went beyond the call of duty and physically attacked a machine gun bunker and embraced Shahadat.
He was, therefore, awarded (Hilal-e-Jurat). One learnt that the change of guard and flag lowering ceremony between Jawans of Pakistan rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is the only ceremony in the sub-continent where full drill protocol is being practiced for more than one hour. The ceremony was also a unique experience for audiences from both countries sat eyeball-to-eyeball in the Indo-Pak drill Arena. The ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, which was followed by Lancers Bearers and Buglers call.
After entering of the ceremonial guards in the drill arena, the Junior Commander of the BSF took permission from the Senior Pakistani Army Official (which can happen vice versa). The ceremony started off with the change of guard and eventually ended at the graceful lowering of both flags simultaneously.
The guards from both sides came one by one pressing their foot down, and literally shaking the earth beneath with every step of their march. Whenever a Pak Jawan started his march it was a treat to watch him, with even foot stomping the pulse got faster, with every aggressive posture the Jawan made, while looking at the neighbouring army, the blood raced and it became quite difficult to sit still in a seat by being a bear witness to such sheer level of patriotism. Our friendly neighbouring force tried to do the same, but with their physiques it was a different story altogether.
Furthermore, the beautiful plants and landscape which one sees at the JCP Colonel Ghulam Hussain Shaheed has entirely done by Jawans on a self help basis. Nearly 100 different species of ornamental shrubs have been planted in this area, and three waterfalls have also been built namely; Waterfall Karakoram, Waterfall Hindukush, and Sutlej Fountains.
More than 21,000, Pakistanis visit the JCP Colonel Ghulam Hussain Shaheed on every Independence Day. Therefore it has been decided that with the help of Nayyer Ali Dada, a new Stadium will be built, with a large seating capacity and having a War Museum as well. This Stadium will be called as Shaheed Memorial Stadium. JCP is also the site for one of the biggest gates of Pakistan, Babe-Kasur which was completed in 1998 and adds more beauty to the post itself.
The Army has also opened a unique picnic spot which can be visited after having prior permission. So far more than 200 schools and colleges have visited the picnic spot and had an amazing experience in the water raft on Sutlej River as well. It is truly an experience which no words suffice in the memory to depict. One learns from here that our national flag commands a lot more respect than by just putting it on various occasions and never even bothering to take it off for months.
The Pakistani flag is a symbol of unity, freedom and our faith. It deserves proper respect at all times. Hats off to the Jawans of our Army, who serve their motherland day and night, and are awake so that we can have a goodnights sleep. Kasur is the only district after Lahore where flag lowering ceremony held.
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