PESHAWAR: The country’s 71th Independence Day was marked across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with zeal on Tuesday with the people showering praise on the Pakistan Movement activists and those, who later strived for the country’s protection and development.

Cake-cutting and flag-hoisting ceremonies were the main feature of the Independence Day celebrations, where people prayed for the country’s peace and development.

In Peshawar, main event was held at the civil secretariat wherein caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Dost Mohammad Khan was the chief guest.

Besides, the provincial police chief, district nazim, deputy commissioner, provincial ministers, officials of various departments also participated in it.

Another flag hoisting ceremony was held on the Peshawar High Court premises, where PHC Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth was the chief guest.

The ceremony was attended by the court’s current and former judges, registrar, officers and other staff members.

Cake-cutting, flag-hoisting ceremonies held across province

Students of various local schools were also in attendance. The chief justice distributed national flags and gifts to children.

He asked the people to work hard, ensure punctuality and show sincerity in their thoughts and actions for the country’s progress and prosperity.

A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Malik Saad Khan Police Lines, where capital city police officer Qazi Jameelur Rehman recalled services of police martyrs and vowed to follow mission of those, who laid down lives for the country.

An Independence Day-related event was held at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, where chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology Prof Qibla Ayaz and VC Prof Razia Sultana hoisted the national flag and cut a cake. Laptops under the prime minister’s scheme were also distributed to students.

A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at head offices of Rescue Services 1122, where provincial minister Asadullah Khan Chamkani was the chief guest.

The Independence Day was also marked at the Islamia College University, where Senator Prof Mehr Taj Roghani was the chief guest. Vice-Chancellor Dr Habib Ahmed, Prof Sareer Ahmed, Dr Nawaz Khan, Haji Mohammad Zaman Khan and Prof Abaseen Yousufzai spoke on the occasion.

Sports events were also arranged by the Peshawar Zalmi at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, where Chief Minister retired Justice Dost Mohammad Khan, Zalmi Foundation head and other notables showed up.

A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Governor’s House, where Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra was the chief guest. Noted people from all walks of life attended the ceremony.

The governor said it was the time to be more conscious towards making the security and stability of beloved motherland impregnable and ensuring people’s development and prosperity and lasting peace in the society.

The Independence Day rallies were also taken out in different areas before they converged outside the Peshawar Press Club.

Transporters were led by Khan Zaman Afridi, civil defence organisation activists by Shamshad Bacha, Rah-i-Haq Party president Ibrahim Qasmi and Shabab Ahle Sunnat.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held at Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex, where district nazim Fahad Khan, DC Mian Abdul Qadir, officials of various departments, students and local elders were in attendance.

In Ghalanai, deputy commissioner Wasif Saeed hoisted the national flag. There followed other events, sports competitions.

In Lakki Marwat, the local administration with the support of the Pakistan Army, Boy Scouts Association and sports and youth affairs department held a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Lt Adnan Shaheed Sports Complex Tajazai.

Deputy commissioner Kabir Afridi was the chief guest on the occasion.

Also, the Independence Day functions were held in Batkhela, Tank, Abbottabad, Kohat, Chitral, Mingora, Dera Ismail Khan, Hango, Karak, Timergara and Orakzai.

Also, the Frontier Corps, KP (North), celebrated the Independence Day by holding various events.

A firing and shooting competition was held at Shakas area of Khyber district among tribal elders, youth and journalists. A large number of people attended it.

Lt-Col Ch Abdus Sattar Sulahri gave away prizes to winners.

In Shangla, too, people marked the Independence Day zealously.

The national flag was hoisted at the Karakoram Highway Monument in Bisham.

Shangla deputy commissioner Tashfeen Haider hoisted the flag at Centennial Model School Alpuri, while schoolchildren sang the national anthem and delivered speeches paying tribute to the people, who made efforts for independence.

Such events were held in Bisham, Puran, Chakesar, Shahpur, Dandai, Martung, Dehrai, Bely baba, Damorai, Karora and other parts of the country.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2018