As the year 2016 comes to a close and everyone heaves a collective sigh of relief for having survived a year that was marred with SO MUCH upheaval, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic moments for Pakistan, over the past tumultuous 12 months.

Here are some of the most powerful images from Pakistan in 2016:

1.

Crime scene investigators and rescue workers inspect a suicide bomb attack site, near a a polio eradication center in Quetta on January 13, 2016. At least 15 people lost their lives as a result of the brutal attack.

2.

Spectacular fire display at the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) opening.

3.

Shahbaz Taseer smiles as he finally returns home after four and a half years in Taliban captivity, on March 8, 2016.

4.

Pakistan Women Cricket team celebrating after defeating India in Delhi by two runs in a nail biting match, which was decided on DL method.

5.

Muslim community in Kalsabad, near Gojra in Toba Tek Singh district sets an example of some incredible interfaith harmony by donating thousands of rupees to build a church for their Christian friends and neighbors.

6.

A bunch of students from BNU Lahore conducted a protest against the stigmatization of menstruation and the massive sharmindagi attached to it.

Also see: Students Covered a Wall at BNU Lahore With Menstrual Pads and Shit Got Real

7.

NAB recovered Rs. 730 million from Baluchistan’s finance secretary’s residence in one of the biggest money laundering cases in the country.

8.

Fellow transgenders mourn the death of Alesha on May 25, 2016. The coordinator for Trans Action Alliance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was shot eight times in the limits of Faqirabad police station.

9.

Pakistani relatives comfort Mujjudid Sabri, the son of Pakistani Sufi musician Amjad Sabri, who was murdered in cold blood by unknown gunmen in Karachi on June 22, 2016.

10.

And here he is paying a remarkable tribute to his late father.

11.

Muhammad Amir together with his team mates do the controversially famous push-ups after winning the first Test action.

12.

An Afghan Refugee student who was born in Peshawar, cries as he Leaves his Pakistani school to go back to Afghanistan.

13.

The corpses of hundreds of stray dogs lie unattended after they were poisoned by the Karachi city government.

14.

Fellow lawyers strive to help the injured fellow in the aftermath of the deadly Quetta blast that almost wiped out an entire generation of the lawyers.

15.

Pakistan’s long jumper, Haider Ali, celebrates his victory after winning a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio.

Also see: Haider Ali Just Became the First Pakistani to Win a Medal in Rio

16.

Men take part in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, an International charity and fundraising event for prostate cancer awareness, in Islamabad, on September 27, 2016.

17.

Relatives of the deceased mourn the loss of heir family members in Quetta on October 25, 2016 after an attack on the Balochistan Police College.

18.

The photograph that made our pyaara chai wala, Arshad Khan famous around the world.

19.

Ex-Chief of Army Staff salutes the coffin of Abdul Sattar Edhi during his funeral.

20.

Thousands of people pray Abdul Sattar Edhi’s – richest poor man in the world Abdul Sattar Edhi who died, on July 8, 2016 – Namaz-e-Janaza.

21.

Smog descended upon Lahore as November rolled in, leading to much discussion (and not much action) about the rising levels of pollution in the city.

22.

Nighat Dad, Pakistan’s digital rights activist, receives 2016 Human Rights Tulip Award.

23.

Ahmed “Wolverine” Mujtaba, remained undefeated as he beat his opponent, Singaporean pro-wrestler Benedict Ang in Asia’s biggest MMA tournament.

24.

General Raheel Sharif handed over the baton of command to General Qamar Javed Bajwa after the former retired as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff.

25.

Pakistani investigators examine the wreckage of a passenger plane crash in the village of Gugh, Pakistan Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. The crash claimed many lives including the iconic Junaid Jamhed.

26.

Two young balloon sellers walk through dense fog on Christmas day.

Cover image via: Faisal Mahmood / Reuters