PESHAWAR, March 23: The Pakistan Day was celebrated with national zeal and enthusiasm in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas on Wednesday.

Various colourful programmes were held in different cities and towns of the province and Fata to mark the day.

A Pashto poetry session was held at Nishtar Hall in the provincial capital to mark the day. The participants of the poetry session spoke about the importance of the day. Prominent among them were Dr Mohammad Azam Azam, Nasir Ali Syed, Younas Qiasi and Saadullah Jan Barq.

They recalled the services of national heroes during the Pakistan Movement. They said that new generation should not forget their leaders. The youth should follow in the footprints of their leaders to work for development of the country, they added.

Another function was held at Dar-ul-Atfal where gifts were distributed among the orphan children. The organisers of the function spoke about importance of the day and children sang national songs on the occasion.

According to a statement, the day dawned with a salute of 21 guns in the provincial capital and special prayers were offered in all mosques for peace, prosperity and solidarity of the motherland.

Officers and soldiers in uniform offered Fajr prayers with their tribal brethren in local mosques in Fata, the statement added. The tribesmen from all walks of life joined army, Frontier Corps and political administration in Pakistan Day celebrations in all major towns of the tribal areas including Wana and Miramshah, the headquarters of South and North Waziristan agencies respectively.

On the occasion, army distributed a large quantity of sports goods, stationery items and national flags among the tribesmen and students in various parts of Fata.

The Pakistan Day was also celebrated with full zeal in entire North Waziristan Agency by holding befitting ceremonies in its main towns like Miramshah, Mirali, Razmak, Datta Khel and Gharlamai.