PESHAWAR, Aug 14: The 66th Independence Day was observed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan with national zeal and fervour on Tuesday.

Various processions were taken out and functions held in Peshawar to mark the day. The main function was held at Malik Saad Khan Police Lines where Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti hoisted the national flag in a colourful gathering organised by city district government.

Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Ministers Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Haji Hidayatullah, special assistant to Chief Minister Syed Masoom Shah Bacha, Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastgeer, IGP, secretary administration, secretary local government, commissioner Peshawar, CCPO, police officers and others were also present. Students presented national and patriotic songs and vibrant contingent of police presented the guard of honour. The CM also laid floral wreath on the monuments of policemen who died in the line of duty and offered prayers.

Meanwhile, National Highways and Motorways Police Sector M-1 celebrated Independence Day at main motorway toll plaza.

Sector commander M-1 SSP Mohammad Tahir Khan and his team welcomed commuters and distributed Pakistani flags and sweets to children.

Similarly, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf activists also took out a vehicular procession from Hashtnagri chowk to press club.

The activists of Pakistan Rah-i-Haq party also took out a vehicular procession from Landi Arbab which after passing through various roads terminated at press club.

PML-N held a function at Deans Trade Centre where participants celebrated the occasion by cutting a cake. The women wing of PML-N also marched from Saddar to press club displaying a large national flag. The Frontier Corps also celebrated the day at the FC headquarters.

LAKKI MARWAT: Army arranged a colourful function at its base camp in Tajazai to celebrate the Independence Day. Station Commander, Bannu, Brig Imran Munawar was the chief guest.

Chairman District Development Advisory Committee MPA Anwar Saifullah Khan and others were in attendance. Husn-i-Qirat, debate, naat, rasakashi and archery competitions were held among the students of different schools.

A group of local archers also displayed their skills and received applause from the participants. An arts and crafts exhibition was also part of the Independence Day function.

Brig Imran Munawar distributed prizes among position holder students and those who presented tableaus.

SWABI: A colourful function was held at the lawns of the auditorium of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology on the occasion.

The academic staff, schoolchildren and other staff participated in the function. Sweets were distributed and special prayers were offered for strengthening the country, welfare of the people and prosperous future of the nation.

The flag hoisting ceremony was attended by faculty members and other staff and students of the GIK School and College. National anthem was sung by a group of students and the other participants joined them.

Meanwhile, flag hosting ceremony was also held in the district coordination office. Similarly, an Independence Day function was held in Tarbela Dam attended by schoolchildren, officers and employees.

TIMERGARA: A function was held at Timergara where the District Coordination Officer Mahmood Aslam Wazir hoisted national flag. Students, teachers, elders, social and political activists attended the function. Students presented colourful programmes and won appreciation from the audiences.

Bazaars and markets were decorated with national flags while flags were also hoisted on vehicles.

Speech and naat competitions were held in every tehsil headquarter of the district participated by students of different schools.

KARAK: A simple but graceful ceremony was held at the office of district coordination officer on the Independence Day. Acting DCO Ali Mohammad Khan hoisted the national flag.

The district Khateeb Maulana Mekail offered special prayers for the defence and integrity of the country. Acting DCO Ali Mohammad Khan gave away prizes to children, principal of higher secondary school and traffic in-charge on the occasion.

KHAR: Local administration and various organisations arranged programmes at the agency headquarters and other areas to mark the Independence Day. The flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Bajaur Levies lines where political agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah hoisted the flag, while the national anthem was also read.

A colorful programme was held at the Bajaur Public School and Collage Khar where students participated in discussion, debate and speech competitions.

GILGIT: Independence Day was observed in Gilgit-Baltistan with renewed pledges that all out efforts would be made for prosperity, integrity and development of the country.

The day dawned with special prayers for the solidarity of the nation and uplift of Pakistan. Twenty-one gun salute marked the start of festivities. Rallies, functions, seminars and other events were organised on the occasion.

All public and private buildings were decorated with national flags and lighting giving a festive look. Boy scouts from various schools participated in a march past while quiz and debate competitions were also held.

In Gilgit, main official function was held in Chinar Bagh where Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Wazir Baig was chief guest. He laid floral wreath on the graves of martyrs and offered Fateha.

Radio Pakistan Gilgit and Skardu aired special programmes while newspapers published special supplements highlighting the importance of the Independence Day.

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