PESHAWAR, Aug 14: Like other parts of the country, the Independence Day was celebrated with zeal in different parts of the NWFP on Tuesday.

In Peshawar, a flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Jinnah Park which was attended by Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, City Nazim Ghulam Ali and provincial ministers, besides people from various walks of life.

Security had been beefed up in the provincial capital and police had barricaded sensitive areas to avert possible terrorist attacks.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Durrani said that for the first time the nation was celebrating the Independence Day in a state of fear.

He said the federal government would have to review its policies and grant autonomy to the federating units.

Independence Day functions were held in other parts of the province as well. Government buildings were illuminated and national flags were hoisted. Seminars and rallies were also organised.

A lecture was held at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Science and Technology in Swabi, our correspondent reports.

Speaking on the occasion, Mehboob-ur-Rehman, a worker of the Pakistan Movement who had studied at the Aligarh Muslim University, said the early passing away of the Quaid-i-Azam was one of the main reasons why democratic institutions did not flourish in the country.

Pakistan lurched from one crisis to the other in the last six decades.

He was of the view that the present leadership lacked the required qualities and as a result, the country had to endure a series of crises.

“We have seen that people did not respect various leaders although they had the reins of power simply because they lacked sagacity, honesty and a vision for the emancipation of the people from various problems,” he said, referring to the continued rivalry between the rulers and top leaders of political parties.

In Lakki Marwat, district government and local administration officials held different functions to mark the Independence Day. Leaders of various parties paid tribute to the Quaid-i-Azam, Allama Mohammad Iqbal and other leaders of the freedom movement.

A flag-hoisting ceremony was held on the premises of the district headquarters complex near Tajazai. District Nazim Humayun Saifullah Khan hoisted the national flag as squad of police personnel presented a salute.

Separate functions were held at Pakistan Army base camps in Ghaznikhel and Tajazai. Brig Suhail, Colonel Shaukat Muzaffar, Lt-Col Liaqat Waseem, Maj Humayun Khan Yousafzai, Maj Kashif Sultan, Maj Abdul Ghaffar, Maj Anwarul Haq, Maj Asad Salim, Maj Javed, Capt Attaullah, Capt Tallat Usman, Capt Adnan, Lt Faseeh-ur-Hasnain, jawans, civil officers and elite of the area attended the events.

A friendly football match was also played between Ghaznikhel camp and Khan club teams at the Ghaznikhel base camp, which was won by the Khan club by 4-1.

The district nazim, who was the chief guest, distributed cash prizes among players of both the teams.

Functions were held also in Timergara, Lower Dir, which were attended by government officials, schoolchildren and general public.

A ceremony was arranged jointly by the district administration and the district government at the DCO office.

Students of various schools presented Na’ats, speeches on various topics and patriotic songs during the ceremony.

Speakers on the occasion emphasised the need for unity and patriotism among the people. They said that in the present political scenario in the country, it was the duty of every citizen to promote patience and tolerance in the society.