PESHAWAR: Government departments, civil society organisations, business community, labourers and transporters unions have announced to hold functions and rallies to celebrate the Independence Day with pomp and show, with the district administration having deployed 700 policemen to ensure smooth passage of the day.

Almost all the high-rise buildings in the capital city have been beautifully decorated with lightings and national flags. People from different walks of life, especially the youth, holding national flags in their hands have started riding bikes and cabs on different roads to express their love for the country.

However, district administration has banned one-wheeling and directed the police to take action against those found violating the ban.

The provincial government has also announced to hold some functions. The main event will be held at the Civil Secretariat at 8am where Chief Minister Peverz Khattak will be the chief guest. He will hoist national flag in the lawns of the Civil Secretariat.

Governor Iqbal Zaffar Jhagra will hoist national flag at the lawns of Governor House and speak at a function in connection with the Independence Day. Similarly, another function will be held at Pakistan Academy for Rural Development, University Town, wherein Provincial Minister for Labour and Mineral Development Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli will be the chief guest.

Pakistan Muslim League-N has announced holding a public meeting at Chowk Yadgar in connection with the Independence Day, wherein its provincial president Pir Sabir Shah, general secretary Rahmat Salam Khattak, senior vice-president Waqif Khan, Peshawar district president Abdul Sattar Khalil and others will speak. Christian community has announced holding a meeting to pay homage to all those who had sacrificed for the homeland. The meeting will be held at All Saints Church, Kohati Gate.

All Sarhad Goods Transport and Adda Owners Federation has announced taking out a vehicular procession from Peshtakhara through Ring Road and vice versa to show their love for the country. Peshawar Press Club has also started three-day events in connection with the Independence Day celebrations.

Meanwhile, keeping in view the multiple programmes scheduled in parts of the provincial metropolis, 700 policemen have been deployed to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion. Peshawar SSP (operations) Abbas Majeed Marwat told Dawn that strict security arrangements had been taken to ensure peace on the day.

He said the deployment of 700 police personnel was in addition to the other routine deployment to maintain law and order. Mr Marwat said about 35 events of flag hoisting would take place across the city with main function being held at the Civil Secretariat, where over 100 policemen had been deployed.

He said security had also been beefed up along the areas linking the provincial capital with other districts and agencies.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2016