KARACHI: Pakistan Day was observed on Wednesday across the city with different events, including flag hoisting ceremonies, held by government, military and political organisations amid rallies and walks organised by non-governmental organisations in parts of the metropolis.

The day began with a 21-gun pre-dawn salute in the Malir cantonment area in line with other decades-old traditions in the provincial capitals of the country.

Early in the morning, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan with Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and members of the provincial cabinet visited the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam, where they laid wreaths and offered Fateha.

After the ceremony, the chief minister talking to reporters called upon the people to save the country from extremism and terrorism and make it a cradle of peace, which had not come into existence merely with the resolution but was achieved after a great movement and enormous sacrifices.

Highlighting the need for coexistence, tolerance and humanity, he referred to the speech of the Quaid-i-Azam after independence in which he had stressed equal rights to every national of the country. He said: “We have not only to follow the teachings of our Quaid but practically we have to demonstrate it with our actions and deeds.”

He also lauded the Pakistan Rangers and Sindh police for restoring peace to Karachi and said he hope that the law enforcement agencies would keep working with the same spirit to meet the people’s expectations.

“I appreciate you [police and Rangers] from the core of my heart that you have restored peace to this city with your blood,” he said and added that the sacrifices of the law enforcement agencies would always be remembered.

After leaving the mausoleum with the Sindh governor, the CM returned in a while with Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardi, who visited the Mazar-i-Quaid to lay wreaths and offer Fateha.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation administrator Roshan Ali Shaikh also visited the mausoleum, where he laid a wreath and offered Fateha , said a KMC statement, adding that he was accompanied by metropolitan commissioner Samiuddin Siddiqui, finance adviser Muhammad Rehan Khan, senior director for municipal services Masood Alam and other officers.

The army aviation squadron also organised an event, which was attended by students of different universities, who were briefed on the professional skills of the army’s aviation arm, said a statement.

“The students visited different stalls and they were also shown flying skills of the Lama helicopter and Mushshak aircraft being used by the Pakistan army’s aviation wing,” added the statement.

Several parties also staged rallies and held seminars to mark the Pakistan Day. Ahl-i-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) held a rally from University Road near Bait-ul-Mukarram Masjid to Jail Chowrangi, which was attended by a large number of its supporters.

“After reaching Jail Chowrangi, the rally was addressed by senior leader Allama Rab Nawaz Hanafi, vowing to sacrifice everything for the country’s sovereignty and independence,” said an ASWJ statement.

The Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) also organised a seminar at its provincial headquarters in the city, where speakers called for joint efforts from all segments of society for peace and development of the country.

“We need to remove all differences for peace and harmony,” said an MWM statement quoting speakers at the seminar. “It’s high time to get rid of all those ills which divide the nation and affect the national spirit. On this historic occasion, we should also remember our soldiers who have sacrifices their lives for our freedom,” said MWM leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2016