PESHAWAR: Pakistan Day was celebrated across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the adjoining tribal region on Friday.

Different organisations took out rallies and held meetings in the provincial capital to commemorate the adoption of the Pakistan Resolution by the All India Muslim League in 1940 at Lahore, which demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

A cake-cutting function was organised by Pakistan Muslim League-N wherein the participants raised slogans for the country’s progress.

On the occasion, adviser to the prime minister Amir Muqam said by celebrating the occasion was meant to reaffirm the pledge that they were ready to offer any kind of sacrifice for the sake of the soil.

Another cake-cutting ceremony was arranged by PTI workers in the city wherein former nazim of Town-I Shaukat Ali was the chief guest. Workers of different organisations and political groups took out a rally outside the Peshawar Press Club and shouted slogans against Indian atrocities on innocent Kashmiris.

The participants were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans to highlight the significance of the Pakistan day.

In Chitral, a function was held in Chowni parade ground to celebrate the Pakistan Day jointly organised by Chitral Scouts and the district government, in which school and college students highlighted the importance of the day through a stage show.

A polo match, a paragliding contest, a marathon race, a gymnastic show, a flag hoisting ceremony and stalls displaying different indigenous and cultural tools and products were the features of the function.

Commandant of Chitral Scouts Col Moeenuddin, MNA Iftikharuddin, district nazim Maghfirat Shah and Chitral DC Irshad Sodhar gave away prizes to the participants.

In Bajaur Agency, the Pakistan Day was celebrated with traditional zeal and fervour.

Security forces, local administration, traders and political parties arranged functions and events in different areas to mark the day.

The main function of Pakistan Day was held at Army Public School in Khar attended by tribal elders, leaders of political parties and officials of the security forces and political administration.

In Khyber Agency, various sports events and rallies were organised in connection with the Pakistan Day celebrations.

Khyber Sports Organisation organised a cycle race, an exhibition cricket match, a tug-of-war between the Khasadar force and local tribesmen at the Hamza Baba Complex in Landi Kotal.

School children sang national songs and presented skits highlighting the importance of the day.

In Bara, local traders in collaboration with political administration held a peace rally, with the participants holding national flags and banners inscribed with slogans highlighting the importance of Pakistan Day.

Frontier Corps in collaboration with local cricket players organised an exhibition match at the Samma Gharri ground in Meelward, Akkakhel Bara.

In Jamrud, a peace rally was held at the historic Bab-i-Khyber.

In Lower Dir, the district administration and traders’ body jointly arranged a rally from Balambat to Timergara city. Deputy commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram led the participants.

The Difa-i-Pakistan Council also arranged a rally at Kumbar Bazaar in Maidan.

The district government and sports’ department also arranged a quiz and declamation competition in Timergara.

Students presented tableaus, songs and speeches, highlighting the importance of Pakistan Day.

In Karak, the labour union celebrated Pakistan Day in Sabirabad area by holding a meeting. Speakers on the occasion stressed that the role of workers in the country’s development was important.

In Kohat, separate functions were held by the district administrations of Kohat, Hangu and police to commemorate the sacrifices rendered by the people for independence of Pakistan.

Deputy commissioners of Kohat and Hangu hoisted flags on the lawns of their respective offices.

In Charsadda, a ceremony was held in Shabqadar to mark the Pakistan Day.

A contingent of Pakistan Constabulary presented parade and laid floral wreath on the martyrs’ monument.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2018