KARACHI: Government bodies, private organisations, political parties and citizens of the metropolis participated in a wide variety of colourful events to celebrate Independence Day on Friday.

Team Cycologists, a Karachi-based group that brings together those interested in cycling and improving their health and fitness, arranged a ceremonial Azadi ride to celebrate Independence Day and to encourage the masses to come forward and spread the spirit of patriotism in the city of lights.

The ride started from Delawala Shopping Centre in Clifton at 6am with over 50 enthusiastic cyclists who were dressed in different shades of green with the national flag attached to their bikes. While enjoying the pleasant morning breeze and the festive street decorations, the cyclists pedalled through Clifton, Sharea Faisal and all the way to Fatima Jinnah Road.

This 20km ride ended at Quaid-i-Azam House/Flagstaff Museum, an important national monument and heritage site situated in the heart of the city. The colonial style two-storey building was beautifully decorated for the occasion by the authorities.

Upon their arrival there, the riders were briefed on the history of the museum which served as the residence of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

City witnesses array of activities and events marking Independence Day

The cyclists sang the national anthem with enthusiasm and respect which filled the atmosphere with nationalism, sentiment and spirit of a strong nation.

Classic cars rally taken out

The Motor Club of Pakistan conducted its fifth ‘Freedom Drive’ on the occasion of Independence Day.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, the drive this year was smaller and selective as compared to their other freedom drives.

Starting at 9.30am from Frere Hall, an iconic landmark of Karachi, the motorcade, including the exquisite Jaguar XJ6 series-1 1972 in green colour also carrying the national flag, Mercedes Benz W 110 1965, Triumph TR2 1955, Mini Cooper S 2006 and Toyota cars and trucks, headed to the Mazar-i-Quad. On the way, other members and friends also joined them.

According to Razi Nayyer, founder and president of Motor Club of Pakistan, the main objective of the annual Freedom Drive is to develop and strengthen the spirit of nationalism and patriotism within the nation, especially the youth so that they may play a vital role in building the country further.

Change of guards at Mazar-i-Quaid

As always, Pakistan Navy celebrated Independence Day with traditional fervour beginning with a gun salute and an inspiring change of guard ceremony at the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam.

A contingent of Pakistan Naval Academy cadets arrayed meticulously in ceremonial dresses assumed the ceremonial guard duties at the Mazar-i-Quaid with enthusiasm to mark Independence Day celebrations early on Friday.

Commandant of Pakistan Naval Academy, Commodore Mushtaq Ahmed was the chief guest and reviewed the guard.

The chief guest and smartly turned out cadets of Pakistan Navy presented the qaumi salam to the Father of the Nation. The ceremonial guard mounting was followed by the laying of a wreath at the Mazar by the chief guest on behalf of the chief of the naval staff, officers and men of Pakistan Navy.

Later, the chief guest offered fateha and recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book.

Earlier, the day dawned with gun salutes and special prayers offered in all mosques in the naval area for the solidarity and progress of the country.

Pakistan Navy ships and establishments were illuminated in the traditional manner.

Besides all this, Pakistan Navy also arranged a tree plantation campaign in collaboration with IUCN Pakistan and the Sindh government officials at the Bin Qasim area.

Over 150,000 plants will be grown at an area of 100 acres to provide a sound environment to future generations.

Fishermen languishing in Indian jails remembered

At the Karachi Fish Harbour, chairman of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS) Hafiz Abdul Berr said that the fishermen community celebrated the country’s Independence Day with a heavy heart as they were missing many of their colleagues languishing in India’s jails.

They also feel for the people of India-occupied Kashmir who also deserve freedom, he said during a flag-hoisting ceremony earlier in the day.

On the occasion, he also laid the foundation stone for a new jetty for small fishing boats.

The FCS chairman also aired his concerns on the pollution of the fishing harbour with plastic wrappers and bags.

Mayor’s tribute to Quaid

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar visited the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam, laid a wreath and registered his comments in the visitors’ book.

Talking to media, he paid rich tribute to the Quaid-i-Azam and termed him a great leader.

“On this historic day, I would request Chief Justice of Pakistan to take up my petition regarding empowerment of local bodies and decide it by 30th August,” he said.

Mr Akhtar said that he wanted the next mayor to be empowered.

“I fought for the power for four years but to no avail. The federal government showed seriousness towards issues of Karachi which is indeed a good sign,” he added.

He said that the provincial government was now talking about the Constitution but it forgot Article 140-A and provincial finance commission.

He was of the view that cleaning of drains was not the only solution as residents were facing multiple issues, including water scarcity, collapsed sewerage system and lack of transport.

He also hoisted the national flag in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s building in a ceremony attended by officials of the KMC.

Second street library opened

The city witnessed the opening of its second street library at Baloch Chowk of Chakiwara, Lyari, here on Friday.

The second such library of its kind was inaugurated by Commissioner of Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani. “These street libraries will help people rediscover their love for book reading to develop a reading culture here,” the commissioner said.

“They will also help in making good books more accessible to the people,” he said, while adding that they were working on setting up more street libraries all over Karachi.

The second street library was set up with the cooperation of DMC South and the Council of Karachi Libraries (CKL).

Founder member CKL Syed Abid Raza and coordinator CKL Syed Sultan Khalil were also present.

The first Street Library was opened in Karachi in December on the occasion of the 143rd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

Varsities

University of Karachi organised a national flag-hoisting ceremony in front of the new administration building to mark Independence Day.

KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi was chief guest on the occasion.

Dr Iraqi said that freedom is a blessing that was obtained after much sacrifice and now we should value it. He said that the zeal amongst the youth of Pakistan is unmatchable. “We need to tap the talent of youth in order to utilize it for nation building”, he said.

Vice Chancellor Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (Fuuast) Professor Dr Arif Zubair on Friday said the entire nation needs to unite against internal and external challenges.

He was addressing a flag-hoisting ceremony organized at the Gulshan-i-Iqbal campus of Fuuast on the occasion of Independence Day.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2020