PESHAWAR: The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University organised a speech competition to mark the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan on Monday.

The event was held at its main campus starting with the flag hoisting.

Prof Razia Sultana, the vice chancellor, hoisted the flag, and MPA Mehmood Jan graced the occasion as the chief guest, according to a press release.

National songs were presented by the students, and a cake cutting ceremony was also held. The overall theme of the event was ‘peace, tolerance, harmony and honesty’. A cake cutting ceremony was also organised on the occasion.

Scholarship cheques were also distributed among 71 students of BS under the German need-based and HEC USAID need-based scholarship programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sultana said the values determined the future of a nation and were the basic ingredient for its prosperity.

Talking about the theme of the event, she stated that inner peace was important. “If we don’t have peace within, we cannot bring any good to the community and to the nation,” she said.

Meanwhile, the University of Peshawar organised a flag-hoisting ceremony at its Convention Hall. Singing national anthem, the university police presented a guard of honour, says a press release.

UoP Vice Chancellor Prof Mohammad Asif Khan was the chief guest. On the occasion, Mr Abid said Pakistan gained independence after remarkable efforts made by the nation’s father Mohammad Ali Jinnah who was a man of great caliber. He said although the people of Pakistan celebrated the Independence Day with patriotism and passion, they should remember what Jinnah’s dream was and whether they had forgotten the reason for formation of Pakistan.

The vice chancellor also inaugurated books and photo exhibitions organised by Pakistan Study Centre, the main library and university museum. He also presided over a gathering where speeches were delivered and tableaus were presented by children.

The participants prayed for wellbeing of Pakistan and its citizens.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2017