PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Day was celebrated with national zeal and enthusiasm in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal areas on Monday.

The people held functions and took out rallies to highlight importance of the March 23, 1940 Pakistan Resolution, which led to the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.

Besides praying for peace and prosperity in the country and paying tribute to those who sacrificed life while defending the motherland, they also showed solidarity with armed forces fighting terrorists.

In Peshawar, special prayers offered in mosques were followed by 21-gun salute at the crack of dawn at Jinnah Park, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations.

The highlights of the day were student rallies and peace walks to condemn terrorism and promote peace in the area.

Function, rallies highlight Pakistan Movement sacrifices, importance of independence

Declamation contests were also arranged to highlight the significance of independence and sacrifices offered by the forefathers.

Special arrangements were made to screen the Pakistan Day parade live from Islamabad and band display in Swat and internally displaced persons’ camp in Bannu.

A get-together was also arranged for former servicemen in the city.

Also in the day, Jamaatud Dawa activists took out a Pakistan Day rally, which passed through various bazaars and ended outside the Peshawar Press Club.

The participants carried national flags along with banners and placards inscribed with slogans calling for unity against anti-state elements.

The speakers, including Mohammad Iqbal, Mohammad Omar, Ghazi Inamullah and Sadaqat Hussain, said there was need for unity to counter internal and external threats facing the country.

Speaking on the occasion, JuD Peshawar chief said the country was passing through a critical phase and therefore, the nation should get united.

He said external forces were trying to destabilise the country by subversive activities and terrorism and therefore, the people should set aside differences and fight such forces.

Also, the Pasban Pakistan and United Christian Movement activists staged separate rallies in the city to express solidarity with the government.

The Pakistan Day was also celebrated at local educational institutions, where speakers highlighted the importance of March 23, 1940 Pakistan Resolution in the country’s creation.

The Rescue Services 1122 organised a Pakistan Day function, where speakers called for eradication of corruption and restoration of peace.

In Chitral, Chitral Scouts commandant Colonel Naeem Iqbal hoisted the national flag during the Pakistan Day ceremony at the headquarters of Chitral Scouts.

A paragliding show was also organised in Drosh cantonment of Chitral Scouts after the flag hoisting ceremony, while district police officer Abbas Majid Khan Marwat hoisted the national flag at the Chitral police lines and reviewed the parade of a police contingent.

Special polo matches were played in Booni, Drosh, Reshun and Garam Chashma, while local private and government educational institutions organised special functions to mark the day.

In Lakki Marwat, the Pakistan Day was celebrated with national zeal and enthusiasm.

The District Boy Scouts Association held a function at Government High School No 2 Lakki City, where the chief guest, deputy commissioner Ihsanullah Khan, hoisted the national flag.

Later, students of government and private schools sang national anthem. A contingent of boy scouts gave a salute to the national flag.

The schoolchildren sand national songs to pay homage to Pakistan Movement heroes.

The education department officials, teachers and scouts were present on the occasion.

In Swabi, the people celebrated the Pakistan Day pledging to do their best for peace and development in the country.

Educational institutions organised programmes, where speakers paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Jinnah, Allama Mohammad Iqbal and Pakistan Movement activists.

In Karak, the Government High School Zarki Nusrati organised a simple function to mark Pakistan Day.

Teachers, students, officials of education department and local residents attended the function in large numbers.

The national flag was hoisted and the national anthem was played on the occasion.

In Bajaur Agency, the people on Monday celebrated Pakistan Day with the pledge to continue supporting the government and security forces for peace and prosperity in the country.

The main function took place in Khar, the agency headquarters, tribal elders, peace committee members, political and social workers, and senior officials of the security forces and administration, were in attendance.

Army sector commander (north) Brigadier Ziaul Islam told participants that peace, stability and writ of the government were necessary for sustainable development and prosperity.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2015

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