Feeling patriotic: City prepares to celebrate Independence Day

Locals urge govt to arrange functions which public can attend

PESHAWAR: With August 14 around the corner, a series of preparations are being made across the city to celebrate Independence Day.

Shopkeepers in Peshawar have displayed greens flags, banners and badges at their shops for commuters. The shelves of a large number of bookstores have been stacked with books on the history of Pakistan’s independence.

At Qissa Khwani Bazaar, over 20 shops have started selling customised items for Independence Day. These include flags, badges, banners, stickers, bunting, portraits of Quaid-e-Azam and miniatures of prominent buildings such as Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore.

These shops have also started supplying flags, key chains inscribed with Pakistan flags, green badges and stickers to various districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

High spirits

Abdul Kareem, who has been selling these items in Qissa Khwani Bazaar for the last 20 years told The Express Tribune, “The customers have started buying merchandise. [Many of them have started buying] flags to display on their houses and small green badges to pin on their shirts.”

He said there has been a sudden spike in customers ever since they started displaying Independence Day items a week ago.

“Children are particularly enthusiastic to buy badges for Independence Day,” he added.

Azaz Ahmad, a local in Qissa Khwani Bazaar told The Express Tribune he feels proud when his children hold the national flag in their hands. “I intend to celebrate August 14 with full enthusiasm to show my love for this country,” he added.

Fewer opportunities

Ziaullah, another local, said decorative items are available in the city, but commuters have fewer opportunities to gather in the city and commemorate the national day.

He said all official celebrations are arranged at official venues such as CM House and the public are seldom allowed to attend these events.

“[The] government should arrange functions where the public can join the celebrations.”

Independence Day will officially be celebrated on August 14 across the county. The Peshawar High Court, K-P Assembly and Judicial Complex will be adorned with lights and buntings to commemorate the occasion. The day will start with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2016.