BAHAWALPUR: Festivities of Jashn-i-Azadi began here on Friday.

The day dawned with special prayers for the solidarity and integrity of the country after Fajr and Juma congregations in the city.

A flag-hoisting ceremony was held under the auspices of police at the District Police Lines where a smartly dressed police guard gave salute to the national flag. An inaugural function of the Independence Day was held at Chani Goth near the railway station where Punjab Minister for Cooperatives Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar was the chief guest.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held at various educational institutions which were especially opened for the occasion. In the evening, sports events were held at a local stadium.

A tree plantation campaign will also be launched in three districts of the division as part of the celebrations to be continued til l Aug 31.

OVERCHARGING: Visitors to the zoo have complained of the alleged overcharging at the booking office during Eid holidays.

They alleged the entry ticket for an adult was Rs6 while the men of the contractor charged from Rs20 to Rs30.

Apart from this, the unauthorised parking contractor also overcharged owners of cars, motorcycles and cycles.

TRIBUNAL: The election tribunal headed by retired district and sessions judge Chaudhry Abdul Hafeez will resume the hearing of the election petition of PML-N’s Makhdum Ahmed Alam Anwar on Aug 6.

Makhdum Ahmed Alam Anwar had in his petition challenged the election of MNA Khwaja Qutub Farid of PPP from NA-192.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2014