96th Anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Commemorated in Pakistan

A function to mark the 96th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was organised in Lahore today with the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan's message being read out, saying such events can reduce enmity between the two countries.

The Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation organised the function in collaboration with the Lahore High Court Bar Association.

The participants paid glowing tributes to the victims of Jallianwala Bagh and a message of Indian High Commissioner TCA Raghavan was also read out at the event.

Mr Raghavan in his message said the shooting down of peaceful protesters at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919 was a watershed event in the history of the Indian independence movement.

"It marks the spirit of nationalism and self-sacrifice which moved hundreds of thousands of people to peacefully struggle for independence from colonial rule," he said.

Mr Raghavan further said: "I am deeply touched and gratified that Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation is commemorating this occasion in Lahore."

He also extended warm greetings to the participants at the function.

The foundation's chairman Advocate Abdul Rasheed Qureshi said observing such events can help bring the people of India and Pakistan together.

"Holding such events can reduce enmity between the two countries," Mr Qureshi said.

Hundreds of peaceful protesters had died on 13 April 1919 when the British colonial forces had opened fire in Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar where they had assembled to protest the arrest of their leaders.