PESHAWAR: The 79th Independence Day anniversary of Pakistan was celebrated across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with traditional zeal and fervour, with flag-hoisting ceremonies held in major cities to mark the occasion.
In the provincial capital, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi hoisted the national flag at the Governor’s House.
The Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Banafshekhah, also attended the ceremony.
On this occasion, a special prayer was also offered for the country’s progress, prosperity, peace, and stability.
Governor Kundi, along with the Iranian consul general, also cut the cake for the Independence Day.
Addressing the media on this occasion, Mr Kundi extended heartfelt Independence Day greetings to all countrymen.
Peshawar High Court Chief Justice SM Attique Shah hoisted the national flag on the court premises.
The ceremony was attended by judges and representatives of the KP Bar Council, as well as the Peshawar High Court Bar Association and the District Bar Association.
A police contingent presented a guard of honour, while a band played the national anthem. Children dressed in traditional national attire added colour and vibrancy to the ceremony.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was also held at the Civil Secretariat, where chief minister’s adviser Muzzammil Aslam and chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah hoisted the national flag.
Separately, a flag-hoisting ceremony also took place at the Rescue 1122 headquarters.
Khyber Medical University organised a colourful ceremony at the Dr Hafizullah Auditorium to celebrate Independence Day.
Various activities were organised on the occasion, including speech and quiz competitions among students. Documentaries and national songs further added enthusiasm to the event.
In Charsadda, a colourful ceremony was held at Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex to mark Independence Day.
A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour to the deputy commissioner, who hoisted the national flag on the occasion. The ceremony began with the national anthem, while participants raised slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad (long live Pakistan).
Students presented national songs, speeches, tableaux and skits highlighting their love for the country, national unity and the importance of freedom.
Gifts were also distributed among children of police martyrs.
In Dera Ismail Khan, the main ceremony was held at the deputy commissioner’s office and attended by commissioner Daud Khan, regional police officer Ghulam Mubashir Maken, deputy commissioner Hikmatullah Khan, district police officer Ziauddin Ahmed, heads and representatives of government departments, civil society members and students.
In Tank, the main Independence Day ceremony was chaired by deputy commissioner Jamshed Khan and attended by DPO Abdul Samad Khan, government officials, tribal elders, students and citizens.
In Abbottabad, a ceremony was held at Jalal Baba Auditorium to mark Independence Day.
Students presented national songs, speeches and tableaux, showcasing their love and devotion to Pakistan. Special children also participated enthusiastically and expressed their patriotic spirit through national songs and tableaux.
In Swat, a plantation drive under a seed-ball campaign was held on Friday in connection with Independence Day at Government High School, Ghalegay, in Barikot tehsil.
Teachers, students and residents attended the ceremony.
Flag-hoisting ceremonies were held in Upper and Lower Dir districts to mark the day.
In Bajaur, deputy commissioner Adnan Farid and district police officer Khan Zeb Momand hosted the national flag during a ceremony held at his compound in Civil Colony, Khar.
An event was also held at Bajaur Model School and College, attended by elders, political and social activists. Deputy commissioner Adnan Farid and officials of his administration, police and education departments were also present.
The Independence Day celebrations were also held in Bannu, Haripur, Swabi, Battagram and Mohmand districts.
Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026