A moving scene unfolded at a government school in Gilgit as renowned poet, writer, and teacher Abdul Hafeez Shakir marked his retirement after more than four decades of service.

In a powerful gesture of gratitude, four of his former students revived a tradition he had introduced more than 25 years ago.

Back in 1996, Shakir trained a group of four boys to lead the national anthem at the morning assembly—a responsibility they carried out until 1999.

The exercise, he often told colleagues, was not just about performing but about discipline, dignity, and instilling pride in young minds.

On Sunday, those same students—now senior professionals in their respective fields—returned to the stage and sang the anthem once again, this time as a farewell tribute to their teacher.

“When we learned t

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