LAHORE: The 71st Independence Day was celebrated in the city on Tuesday with enthusiasm and fervour amid participation of a number of people in the flag-hoisting ceremonies and other events.

The day started with a 21-gun salute by the army in Cantonment. It was followed by flag-hoisting events organised by the public and private sectors. A siren was played simultaneously at many places at 8:58am and the traffic on roads stopped and people observed silence for two minutes.

The main ceremony was held at Hazoori Bagh and the Pakistan Rangers presented sweets to the Indian Border Security Force at Wagah Border.

“I congratulate the nation on this prestigious event of our Independence Day. This day reminds us of the teachings of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal as they realised the dream of a separate homeland with their historic struggle. We cannot forget their great sacrifices for us,” caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari said at the flag-hoisting ceremony.

A change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Dr Allama Iqbal. A smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army assumed the guard duties at Mazar-i-Iqbal. Marching to the band tunes, the contingent took positions at the four corners of the mausoleum. The Rangers were ceremoniously moved out by the officer-in-charge.

The ceremonial guard mounting was followed by floral wreath laying at the mausoleum by GOC Lahore Maj Gen Shahid Mehmood to pay homage to the national poet. He also offered fateha and recorded his impression in the visitors’ book. According to a spokesman for the city administration, many flag-hoisting ceremonies and other events were held to mark the day.

CIVIL SECRETARIAT: A number of Punjab government employees attended a ceremony at the Civil Secretariat.

Chief Secretary Akbar Durrani and Inspector General of Police Syed Kaleem Imam hoisted the national flag.

The chief secretary said Aug 14 was a day to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for the creation of Pakistan or safeguarding the homeland. He said it was the first time that a flag-hoisting ceremony was arranged at the Punjab Civil Secretariat to mark the day in a befitting manner.

The participants prayed for peace and prosperity of the country.

Later, the chief secretary participated in a ceremony organised by the Walled City of Lahore Authority.

LHC: A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Lahore High Court where Chief Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali unfurled the national flag.

“I want to see unity and love among people in the country no matter which religion or sect any person belongs to,” he said.

LDA: Celebrations were also held in private housing schemes in collaboration with the sponsors under the aegis of the Lahore Development Authority.

A ceremony was held at the LDA head office in Johar Town. “Holding ceremonies at housing societies has also resulted in reduction of traffic on busy roads,” said LDA Director General Amina Imran Khan.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Lahore General Hospital. A number of patients, their attendants, nurses, paramedics and doctors along with Principal Prof Dr Mohammad Tayyab and MS Dr Mahmood Salahuddin attended the event.

Similar activities were held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) where national anthem was played and at Wapda House. Wapda chairman retired Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain hoisted the national flag and the students of Wapda schools sang national songs and anthem.

The Directorate General Monitoring & Evaluation, Planning & Development Department hosted celebrations in Johar Town.

The working class observed the day by holding events of their own and paying tributes to those who struggled for the creation of Pakistan. A good number of people including women participated in a meeting held under the aegis of the All Pakistan Workers Confederation.

An Azadi bus service was arranged by the Lahore Transport Company to offer free travel to people.

The National Highways and Motorway Police organized a number of ceremonies in various parts of the country.

The main activities were done in Lahore, Islamabad, Murree and Quetta where the officials of the Motorways police hoisted national flags on their respective buildings.

In Lahore, Inspector General of NH&MP Amir Zulfiqar hoisted national flag at Babu Sabu office, a press release issued on Tuesday said.

A cake cutting ceremony was also organized where DIG Raja Riffat and other senior police officers were present.

The NH&MP also arranged a road safety ceremony at DHA Lahore where the operational gadgets of the motorways police were put on display.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2018