PESHAWAR: Pakistan Day was celebrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with national zeal and fervour on Sunday.

Different political parties, traders and religious groups held meetings and rallies in the provincial metropolis to celebrate the day. Workers of Jamaat-ud-Dawa took out a procession on motorcycles and passed through different bazaars. Later, they held a rally outside Peshawar Press Club.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Samiul Haq, Jamaat-i-Islami general secretary Liaquat Baloch, JD leader Qari Yaqoob Shaikh, Maulana Nasr Javaid, Ansarul Ummat chief Fazlur Rehman Khalil, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan leader Pir Ijaz Ahmed spoke on the occasion.

The speakers highlighted the significance of the Pakistan Day and urged the nation to forge unity for welfare and protection of the country and foil the nefarious designs of the enemies.

They said that the country had come into being after great sacrifices by people and vowed that they would render all kinds of sacrifices for its protection. They said that it was a day of commitment that no one would be allowed to harm the country and they would take unified stand for restoration of peace.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz also held a meeting at its provincial secretariat where its leaders MPA Sobia Khan, Nasir Khan Musazai and Khizar Hayat vowed that their party would continue serving people with national zeal.

NINE GET TAMGHA-I-IMTIAZ: Nine personalities of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in recognition of achievements in their respective disciplines.

They were honoured by Governor Shaukatullah Khan on behalf of President Mamnoon Hussain at a ceremony held at the Governor House, Peshawar, on Sunday.

Some of the members of the provincial cabinet, parliamentarians both from the province and Fata, senior government officials and relatives of the recipients of national awards attended the ceremony.

The names of the recipients and their fields of achievements are: Prof Amin Badshah and Prof Jasmin Shah, science and chemistry; Prof Zahoor Ahmad Swati, research in agriculture and plants; Dr Sharifullah computer science; Akhtar Naeem Khan education; Nazir Gul music; and Prof Nazir Ahmad Tabassam, literature (mainly Urdu).

Dr Bakht Jamal and Dr Mohammad Naeem were honoured with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in acknowledgement of their courageous role and services for the people of Swat and Shangla.

KHAR: Pakistan Day was celebrated with great zeal across Bajaur Agency on Sunday to mark the passage of Pakistan Resolution which led to the creation of separate homeland for Muslims of India.

Local administration and various political and social organisations organised functions to mark the day. The main function was organised by the Pakistan Army at Khar.

Sector commander North Brig Ghulam Haider, assistant political agent Khar, tribal elders and administration officials attended the function. On this occasion, local singers, poets and students presented national songs and anthem while tribesmen and security officials jointly performed local dance, ‘Athan’.

On this occasion, Brig Haider asked the elders to continue their efforts for maintenances of peace and stability in the region.

LAKKI MARWAT: The Boy Scouts Association arranged a function at Government Primary School, Mela Shahabkhel, to mark Pakistan Day.

MPA Munawar Khan's brother Ameer Nawaz and educational officials turned up at the function. The students sang national songs and presented tableau on the occasion.

MINGORA: Youth, particularly special persons, showed their talent in folk music ensemble held to mark Pakistan Day here at Wadudia Hall, Saidu Sharif.

The event was organised by the Pakistan Army. Brig Zahid Hussain was the chief guest while Swat deputy commissioner Imtiaz Hussain was also present on the occasion.

Students of different government and private schools in their speeches highlighted the historical background of Pakistan Day while some students presented national songs.

Two special persons, Iqbal and Sanaullah, were the most active participants of the event, who showcased their talent in different intervals by presenting songs and parodies.

TIMERGARA: Different functions were held at Maidan, Munda, Timergara, Talash and Chakdara wherein students presented speeches, tableaus and sang patriotic songs to mark Pakistan Day with national zeal. Jamat-ud-Dawa, Lower Dir, also organised a walk in Timergara to celebrate the day.