QUETTA: Independence Day was celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm across the province on Friday.

The day began with a 21-gun salute and special prayers for the prosperity and stability of the country.

Several dozen rallies were taken out in Quetta and other towns and cities of Balochistan, which were largely attended by the people holding national flags and banners. They marched on various roads and streets of Quetta in vehicles and motorcycles decorated with national flags and buntings.

National flags were also hoisted on rooftops of all government and private buildings.

People participating in the rallies danced on the streets wearing traditional dresses and chanting slogans expressing their love for the country.

National flag-hoisting ceremonies were held in Quetta and other district headquarters on the Independence Day.

Two main national flag-hoisting ceremonies were held at the Governor House and on lawns of the Balochistan Assembly building.

Governor Balochistan retired Justice Amanullah Khan hoisted the national flag in the Governor House while Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony on the assembly building premises along with speaker Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, members of his cabinet and advisers.

Speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony, Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani said that Balochistan was still facing poverty, illiteracy and backwardness despite being rich in mineral resources due to injustices and wrong policies of former rulers.

He said the province was also facing the scourge of terrorism and that was a big challenge for the entire province and “we have accepted the challenge of enemies of the country and will foil their nefarious designs with the cooperation of the masses”.

“Nations are not formed in hours, months or years, but with a long struggle, hence on this Independence Day, we need to pledge that we will do our part to provide better life, basic facilities and education to our people,” the chief minister said.

He called upon all politicians or other influential people to play their role for the welfare and well-being of the people.

“Events like 14th August certainly create feeling in the mind how important this day is to us as a person and as a nation, because today we are breathing in a free environment and it all happened due to countless sacrifices of our forefathers for the creation of Pakistan,” the chief minister said.

Referring to Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Alyani said the fatal virus had returned to many countries, although Pakistan and Balochistan had been facing decrease in coronavirus cases. “We need to be more cautious because we have already lost many of our loved ones to the deadly disease of Covid-19,” Mr Alyani said.

He said this Independence Day had assumed special importance and meaning for all of us as a nation because we have desperately felt the value of independence and liberty during Covid-19-related lockdowns.

Referring to Kashmir issue, he said the people of Balochistan would continue their support for their Kashmiri brothers and sisters who had been facing Indian atrocities for a long time.

Reports reaching from interior of Balochistan say the Independent Day was celebrated with full zeal and fervour.

In Dera Murad Jamali, three processions were taken out which were led by former provincial minister Abdul Ghafoor Lehri, Ghulam Nabi Baloch and Sardarzada Baba Ghulam Rasool Umrani to mark the day.

Similar rallies were also taken out in Loralai, Zhob, Chaman, Pishin, Gwadar, Nushki, Sibi, Usta Muhammad, Khuzdar, Kalat and other towns of the province.

Independence Day functions were also held in Chagai, Nushki, Kharan and Washuk where the day began with flag-hoisting ceremonies followed by national anthem and a guard of honour presented by members of police and Levies Force.

Levies Force officials give sweets to their Iranian counterparts at the Pak-Iran Taftan border in Chagai district. Rallies were organised by different political parties, masses, local administration and personalities in Dalbandin, Nokkundi, Taftan, Chagai and the Pak-Afghan border town of Bahramchah.

Ali Raza Rind in Chagai also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2020