Official silence in K-P: Pakistan Day passes without fanfare

Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra distributes awards to four people to honour their achievements

SHABQADAR/ GILGIT/ HANGU/ PESHAWAR/ BATKHELA:

Unlike previous years, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government did not organise any official event to mark the 76th Pakistan Day on Wednesday.

Sporadic events were organised across the province to celebrate March 23. A sports festival was organised in Mohmand Agency while residents of Gilgit-Baltistan held a few ceremonies to commemorate the anniversary of the Lahore Resolution.

A day for patriots

The sound of the national anthem was heard across Peshawar. However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government did not hold an official celebration, barring an event held at Governor House on Wednesday evening and gun salutes.

During the event, Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra distributed a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz to Dr Zafar Iqbal for his achievements in the field of education. Islamia College University Vice Chancellor received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his unstinted commitment to the education sector. Mansoor Zaman and Iftikhar Hussain earned the Pride of Performance for their valuable contributions in the spheres of sports and drama, respectively.

Sans festivities

Unlike previous years, no events were organised at Malik Saad Police Lines, Civil Secretariat and Jinnah Park.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Information and Higher Education Mushtaq Ghani said, “The official programme was held at Governor House and no other programme [has been planned]. [In fact] no other official programmes had been planned by governments in the past.”

A series of ceremonies were held amid tight security in Peshawar to mark the occasion. Morning prayers were followed by a 21-gun salutes and the Pakistan flag was hoisted. All private and government school were closed to mark the occasion.  Children clad in their school uniforms waved flags and sang patriotic songs outside Peshawar Press Club.

District-wise

In Batkhela, a ceremony was held at Frontier Constabulary Headquarters Malakand. The national flag was hoisted and special prayers were offered. Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Maaz Zafar, a district officer, drew attention to the sacrifice made by the FC for the country. “Their sacrifices cannot be forgotten,” he said. “Soldiers and security personnel [will continue to] fight till the last terrorist is removed from the country.”

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz organised a rally in Hangu to celebrate Pakistan Day. A ceremony was held in Swat by the army to celebrate March 23. A large number of students were in attendance. Students were briefed about the importance of the Lahore Resolution.  A series of ceremonies were also held in Bannu, Chitral, Mardan, Upper Dir and Jamrud to celebrate March 23.

Sports festival in Mohmand

A sports festival was organised at Ghallanai Sports Stadium in Mohmand Agency. The event was organised to celebrate Pakistan Day and was attended by locals.

Marbles, handicrafts and vegetables were displayed at stalls. A dog race and cattle show were also held.

Mohmand Political Agent Mehmood Aslam Wazir distributed prizes among winners of cricket and volleyball matches played earlier in the month. In his speech, Wazir lauded the sacrifices rendered by the people of Mohmand Agency in the struggle for Pakistan, the war in Afghanistan and the fight against militancy.

Motorcycle diaries

A motorcycle rally was held near Pak-Afghan border. The rally started at Bahai Dag in Mohmand and concluded in Khapakh Pass. Separately, flag-hoisting ceremonies were held in Bajaur Agency.

Celebrations were also seen in G-B. The day kicked off with a 21-gun salute at 6am on Wednesday. The main ceremony was held at Government Degree College Girls Gilgit where G-B Deputy Speaker Jafarullah Khan raised the national flag.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2016.