PESHAWAR: Pakistan Day was celebrated on Thursday with national zeal and fervour in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as people took out processions and various political and social organisations held seminars and meetings.

In Peshawar, the main function was held at the Governor’s House where Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra on behalf of President Mamnoon Hussain gave away awards to personalities from different fields.

According to a statement, one personality of the province was awarded with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, four personalities with the President’s Award for Pride of Performance and three with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in recognition of their illustrious achievements in respective disciplines at an investiture ceremony held at the Governor’s House, Peshawar.

Consul general of Iran, consul general of Afghanistan, members of the provincial cabinet, parliamentarians from the province and Fata, senior civil and military officials, relatives and well-wishers of the recipients of the national awards attended the ceremony.

Sitara-i-Imtiaz was conferred on Prof Dr Mohammad Rasool Jan, vice-chancellor of the University of Peshawar, in recognition of his extraordinary services in the field of education.

The President’s Award for Pride of Performance was conferred on four personalities, including Ismail Khan, resident editor, Dawn Peshawar, in the field of journalism; and late Mrs Sitara Gul, late Mrs Kaniz Narj and late Dr Yaqoob Khan in the field of public service.

Mohammad Elahi Bakhsh in the field of calligraphy, Syeda Haseena Gul and Nasir Ali Syed in the field of literature were decorated with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz for their remarkable achievements in respective fields.

Mian Naeem Ali Shah, husband of Mrs Sitara Gul (late), Izzat Hussain, husband of Mrs Kaniz Narjis (late) and Mst Farzana widow of Dr Yaqoob Khan (late) received their awards.

On this occasion, the governor congratulated the recipients of the national awards and also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan Movement.

Workers of Tehreek-i-Azadi Jammu and Kashmir also took out a motorcycle rally in the city and shouted slogans for solidarity of the country.

Pakistan People’s Party also held a meeting at the residence of Syed Zahir Ali Shah wherein speakers recalled sacrifices of the leaders of Pakistan Movement.

Also, Pakistan Day Cycle Race was held in Peshawar. Tanzeel clinched trophy of the race after clearing a distance of 28km in 38 minutes and 33seconds here on Thursday.

Peshawar district naib nazim Qasim Ali Shah was the chief guest at the opening ceremony and director general sports Junaid Khan chief guest at the closing ceremony. The cycle race was organised by the Peshawar Region Cycling Association on the Northern Bypass Peshawar.

A total of 18 cyclists registered with the Peshawar Division Cycling Association participated in the race. Imran and Saleem Khan clinched the second and third position, respectively. A team trial race was also organised in which Hayatabad Club recorded 22 points and won the trophy.

At the end, the chief guest gave away trophies and cash prizes to the position holders.

Like other parts of the country, Pakistan Day was celebrated with national zeal in Miramshah and other parts of the North Waziristan Agency on Thursday.

The main event was organised at the Younas Khan Sports Complex which was attended by a large number of people, including children and officials. General Officer Commanding Maj-Gen Azhar Hayat was the chief guest.

Army aviation unit also took part in the event. A cricket match between Miramshah and Mirali teams was also played on this occasion. The chief guest distributed prizes among the players.

In Swabi, leaders of various political parties and officials of the district administration celebrated the Pakistan Day with great enthusiasm and traditional.

Various programmes were held to commemorate the Lahore Resolution, which is also known as Pakistan Resolution 1940.

In Mansehra, people from different walks of life organised a rally to mark Pakistan Day. The rally started from Gazikot and ended at the main chowk after passing through various roads. The participants were raising slogans such as Pakistan Zindabad.

The speakers on this occasion said that the government should give a tit-for-tat response to any Indian aggression at the Line of Control.

In Ghalanai, Pakistan Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Mohmand tribal region with a pledge that the tribesmen would continue their struggle for peace in the area.

On this occasion, Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir and tribal elders were also present. Special prayers were offered in all mosques of the agency for peace, prosperity and solidarity of the motherland.

Mr Wazir hoisted the national flag at a ceremony at the Agency Headquarters Ghalanai. The Mohmand Sports Festival that started from March 10 also concluded on Thursday.

In Kohat, Pakistan Day celebrations were held in Darra Adamkhel, Frontier Region of Kohat, on Thursday after a gap of seven years following an end to militancy.

Volleyball and football matches, debates, poetry, national songs and other events were held at the government degree college, Darra Adamkhel, where sector commander Brig Mehmood was the chief guest.

Kohat commissioner, MNA Qaiser Jamal and elders from all local tribes were present on the occasion.

Brig Mehmood after distributing prizes among the winner said that the morale of the army and the tribesmen was very high and the fight would continue till elimination of the last terrorist.

Meanwhile, a jeep rally was organized at the Tanda Dam resort in connection with the Pakistan Day by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tourism department here on Thursday.

Over 145 jeeps from all over the country participated in the competition.

In Buner, different functions were held to commemorate Pakistan Day. People from different walks of life, including local councillors, political leaders, elders, and administration officials attended the events.

In Chitral, A number of functions held to portray the significance of the day while a rally was taken out apart from holding sports events.

In Frontier Corps Public School, commandant of Chitral Scouts Col Nizamuddin Shah hoisted the national flag. Speakers at other gatherings said that it was day on which the Muslims of the subcontinent made a firm commitment to secure a separate homeland for themselves.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2017