ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Islamabad, a city known for its calm, woke up to heartbreak on Tuesday, yet refused to bow to fear. A suicide blast near the Judicial Complex pierced the capital’s peace, claiming 12 lives and injuring 27. But even as smoke cleared, another image emerged: police officers, lawyers, and ordinary citizens rising together in defiance. In the pain of loss, their unity became Islamabad’s strongest shield.
At PIMS Hospital, sorrow and pride mix – mothers pray, widows weep, and families wait. Police uniforms, black lawyer coats, and ordinary citizens stand side by side, united in grief but firm in spirit.
Police Who Stood Their Ground
Constable Imran Haider said, “We lost our brothers, but our spirit is unbroken. This uniform is a promise to protect.”
Constable Imran Javed recalled, “There was a flash and a roar. I was thrown to the ground but stayed duty doesn’t end with pain.”
Safdar Ali, Senior Officer of Ramna Police Station, added, “Our teams stopped the attacker before he entered the court.”
At PIMS, ASI Irshad lies injured. His colleagues stand by his bed, saying, “He always said pain is part of the job, but we never step back.”
A Young Innocent Who Worked to Support His Family
Among the lives lost, the blast also took the life of a young teenage boy named Tanveer a quiet, hardworking child who washed cars in the parking area near the Judicial Complex to support his family.
Police said he lived in Meher Abadi near Golra and had been washing lawyers’ and visitors’ cars there for the past year. A police officer told APP that Tanveer was supporting eight family members, including his parents.
He spent his days wiping dust from cars, earning a few hundred rupees at a time —yet in a single moment, the dust of terror consumed his own life. His story has left the city with a deeper wound, reminding everyone how the poorest and most innocent often pay the highest price.
A Son Beside His Wounded Father
Shah Hussain of Safe City Rawalpindi stood beside his injured father, Qazim Shah.
“Even in pain, he told me: never fear your duty,” said Shah. “Those words are my pride now.”
Lawyers Vow to Uphold Justice
Advocate Saif Zulfiqar Abbasi told APP terrorists attacked “the heart of justice,” but “they cannot silence truth.”
He paid tribute to Advocate Zubair Aslam Ghumman, martyred in the blast. Hours earlier, Ghumman had celebrated his elevation to the Supreme Court by sharing sweets at the Family Court.
“Zubair was a symbol of courage and justice. His blood strengthens our resolve,” Abbasi said, reciting: (The false cannot break us – test us a hundred times, we endure.)
Grief, Duty, and Unbroken Resolve
PIMS hallways are crowded with citizens, police, and lawyers waiting for news.
A doctor told APP, “Some are stable, some critical but their courage gives us hope.”
Police spokesperson Abrar Hussain said tearfully, “When I write the names of martyrs my own brothers my hands shake. Their blood makes this uniform sacred.”
Rescue on the Front Line
Within minutes, Rescue 1122 and Al-Khidmat Foundation teams arrived.
President Altaf Sher told APP, “We reached within minutes and transported the injured with respect.”
General Secretary Tayyab Siddiqi added, “Our volunteers stayed all night, helping families find loved ones.”
Survivors and Leadership Speak
Citizen Muhammad Naveed said, “The blast threw me to the ground. I thank Allah for saving me and pray for the martyrs.”
SSP (Operations) Capt (R) Ali Raza Qazi praised his force: “Their courage saved countless lives. Terror cannot win. Islamabad Police will protect every citizen.”
A Nation’s Pain and Pride
Late at night, people gathered outside PIMS offering food, water, and silent prayers.
A mother whispered, “My son died saving others. I cry, but I’m proud.”
Another said, “These sacrifices are for Pakistan. We will never back down.”
Hope Lives On
Islamabad is wounded but alive. Police return to duty, lawyers to courtrooms, citizens to prayers. Born of hate, this tragedy revealed Pakistan’s true strength — faith, courage, and love for its soil.
They can wound our bodies, but never our spirit. The blood of our martyrs has made this land sacred and unshakable.
For over two decades, Pakistan has sacrificed thousands of lives soldiers, police officers, lawyers, and civilians in its fight against terrorism. Each tragedy leaves scars, yet the nation stands firm, refusing to bow to fear. Every act of terror only strengthens Pakistan’s resolve to protect peace and defeat those who seek to destroy it.
Authorities have also arrested the key facilitators of the attack in a joint Intelligence Bureau (IB) and CTD operation a reminder that terror can shake our streets, but it cannot break our resolve for peace.