Independence Day: Traffic police rally against one wheeling

LAHORE: A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Rescue-1122 Headquarters on Friday. Punjab Emergency Service Director Arshad Zia led prayers for solidarity, prosperity and a safer Pakistan. Rescue-1122 officials delivered speeches and sang the national anthem and patriotic songs.

The Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) held colourful flag hoisting at the Ganda Singh Wala, Wagha and Head Sulemanki joint check posts. Celebrations were held at the Rangers Headquarters and divisional headquarters across the province.  The City Traffic Police held a motorcycle rally led by CTO Tayyab Hafeez Cheema to raise awareness among the youth against dangers of one-wheeling. The rally started from the City Traffic Police Lines at Thokar Niaz Beg and ended at Jail Road. Nearly 3,000 people carrying banners and placards participated in the rally. The CCPO said that the city traffic police were trying hard to control traffic accidents and maintain flow of traffic. CTO said they were determined to put an end to dangerous stunt riding on motorcycles. He also asked parents to educate their children about road safety.

Celebrations: Govt urged to not betray Jinnah’s vision by privatising DISCOs

The federal government would be betraying Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for the country if it proceeds with its plan to privatise electricity distribution companies, All Pakistan Workers’ Confederation general secretary Khurshid Ahmed said on Friday. He was speaking at a flag hoisting ceremony at Bakhtiar Labour Hall.

Ahmed urged the government to introduce administrative reforms, including workers representation in their management, in public sector enterprises in the electricity, oil and gas development and rail transport sectors. He said the government should drop its plan to privatise the nations’ assets.

Ahmed said Jinnah had stated on several occasions that the state must meet the basic needs of all its citizens. He said in striving for a separate country the Pakistan movement leaders were trying to establish a society based on values of fraternity, equality, justice and democracy. He said they had categorically opposed crony capitalism and feudalism and called for the establishment of a society free from exploitation of workers. He said provision of free quality education and decent work opportunities for all citizens and social protection mechanisms for the weak and elimination of bonded labour and discrimination against women were among their plans for the country.

Ahmed asked the public sector workers to make a pledge to continue the mission of the Pakistan Movement leaders. He said by forging unity in their ranks, the workers could defeat those trying to divide the nation along ethnic, sectarian and communal lines. The participants of the ceremony later held a rally that ended at McLeod Road.  Trade unionists present at the ceremony included Khushi Muhammad Khokhar, Osama Tariq and Sajid Kazmi.

Flag hoisting: Rulers urged to fulfill founders’ pledge to the nation

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Manzoor A Malik said on Friday that Independence Day should serve as a reminder to the rulers about the promise made by founders of the country to the people that together they would build it into a great nation. He was addressing a flag hoisting ceremony at Lahore High Court.

He said the rulers should live up to the promise and strive to make the country prosperous.

The LHC CJ said Pakistan was home not just to Muslims. He said it included people of all faiths who were leading their lives with complete independence.

Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijazul Hasan and Justice Shahid Hameed Dar were also present on the occasion.

Separately, District and sessions judge Tariq Iftikhar Ahmed prayed for prosperity of the country at a flag hoisting ceremony at the district courts.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2015.