Islamabad (IP) - Iran’s cultural mission in Pakistan is slated to hold special programs to mark the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Major General Ghassem Soleimani, chief of the IRGC Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units.

Iran PressAsia: A number of political and religious groups in Pakistan will also take part in these ceremonies, Iran’s cultural attache in Pakistan Ehsan Khazaee said.

Major General Soleimani and al-Muhandis were assassinated on January 3 in US drone strikes that were directly ordered by the outgoing US President Donald Trump.

In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC attacked Ain al-Assad airbase in western Iraq, where US forces were stationed, as part of its promised "tough revenge" for the US terror attack.

Khazaee said a literary and artistic program dubbed, “General of Skies” has already started by Iran’s consulate about the martyrs of the Islamic Resistance, Fars reported on Friday.

He added that exquisite prizes will be awarded to the best works in various fields.

"Participants and enthusiasts from different cities of Pakistan can submit their literary works in the field of storytelling, poetry, memoirs, articles, photo, painting, and calligraphy by 13th January at the email address [email protected]," the Iranian diplomat explained.

He went on to say that on the occasion of the first martyrdom anniversary of General Soleimani and al-Muhandis various programs will also be held by Iranian consulates in the cities of Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta, and Rawalpindi.

The Iranian consulate in Karachi will also launch an event on the book "My Happy Friend" in Urdu while a conference of "Martyrs of Islamic Unity" will be held in Peshawar, too.

Meanwhile, some political and religious parties in Pakistan, especially the supporters of the Resistance Movement, will hold programs aimed at strengthening the Resistance Front on the occasion.

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