LAHORE: People celebrated Independence Day with full zeal by converging at various spots across the city despite a lingering threat of Covid-19.

Families, especially children, were seen loaded into vans and cars and while social distancing was not being observed anywhere, face masks were also far and few between.

A motorcycle rally was held from Liberty Market to the press club and the participants said the aim was to create a sense of patriotism among the youth.

Besides the rally, citizens in cars, waving flags and other Independence Day paraphernalia drove through the city chanting “Long live Pakistan, long live the Quaid”.

A massive crowd had gathered outside a shopping mall, while the busiest area was Liberty where people had filled the roundabout and were seen taking pictures and selfies. Very few women could be seen and those present said that more gender neutral spaces must be created for national celebrations so that everyone could participate equally.

When asked why they were not wearing masks, a family walked away without responding, while a man said it was because the main threat from coronavirus had died down.

The traffic police also held a rally on The Mall on heavy bikes to celebrate Independence Day, led by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Hammad Abid. National flags were hoisted on their motorbikes and sirens blared throughout the route on Jail Road, Main Boulevard, Liberty Square and Gulberg.

CTO Abid said that while celebrating Independence Day, people should ensure no one was offended.

The traffic wardens participating in the rally renewed their commitment to providing facilities to the citizens.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2020