Gun salute in Peshawar on the eve of Independence Day. PHOTO COURTESY: ISPR
In Mardan, Swabi and DI Khan and districts on Hazara Division in K-P, the local government members were on the forefronts of events arranged to celebrate independence. Schoolchildren also put colour to the festivities held at their respective institutes and elsewhere.
K-P Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser did not attend the official function held in Swabi, from where he belongs. He held a separate event in Zaida, at the school he owns.
A young man performs a traditional dance in Kohistan. PHOTO: INP
In Bannu, the celebrations were held at Bakakhel camp, so that the displaced people could have a reason to rejoice.
Besides, Minister for Excise and Taxation Mian Jamsheduddin Kakakhel addressed a ceremony in Pabbi, Nowshera.
While speaking on the occasion, he regretted that rulers have done nothing for the country where everyone was involved in corrupt practices.
In the tribal belt, Independence Day was marked with traditional dances. This was stated in a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Sunday.
In Sararogha area of South Waziristan Agency, a flag-hoisting ceremony was held, schoolchildren and locals were also present there.
A special rally was held – it started from Kotkai area of South Waziristan and ended in Sararogha. A similar event was held in North Waziristan Agency. In Chinar Bagh, Gilgit, a ceremony was held to celebrate independence.
Largest flag in Hazara Division. PHOTO: EXPRESS
On the occasion, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman appreciated the role of the army. The ceremony was attended by the governor of the region, besides ministers, lawmakers, students and the public.
In the metropolis
In Peshawar, as soon as the clock struck 12am, locals thronged the main thoroughfares to celebrate the birth of their homeland.
In an unprecedented move, hundreds of people were seen gathered around Balahissar Fort, situated on the main GT Road. The fort was not open for public – it has been kept close c due to security concerns.
Moreover, people were also seen dancing on the roadsides with songs playing from the tape recorders of their cars. A local who had come out, along with his family members, to celebrate told The Express Tribune such gleeful occasions were rare in K-P, therefore the ones that can be enjoyed should be celebrated.
Car rally in South Waziristan. PHOTO COURTESY: ISPR
A flag-hoisting ceremony was held in Civil Secretariat where Chief Minister Pervez Khattak was the chief guest. The event was organised by city district nazim Muhammad Asim. Rose petals were showered during the ceremony from the jet plane made by Peshawar’s Qazi brothers.
Universities, hospitals
Moreover, events were also held at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBBWU) Peshawar and University of Peshawar.
At SBBWU, tribute was paid to Abdul Sattar Edhi, the renowned philanthropist of the country.
At the end of the ceremony, a souvenir was presented to Meesha Kalsoom, a student of psychology, for providing clothes and food to 100 orphans as a volunteer.
In UoP, a book exhibition was held at the Central Library of the varsity. Besides, a photo exhibition, showing the story of Pakistan movement in pictures, was held in the Archaeology Museum Hall of UoP.
IDPs march in South Waziristan. PHOTO COURTEST: ISPR
A 25-pound cake was also cut to commemorate the OCCASION.
Like at other government and private departments, flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at major hospitals in the provincial metropolis.
A ceremony was held at Lady Reading Hospital where the hospital management, nurses and other staff members of the hospital attended the ceremony.
Governor unfurls national flag in Peshawar. PHOTO: INP
A statement was also issued from Hayatabad Medical Complex which read a two-day celebration was arranged at the hospital by the administration. HMC administration also distributed food packs among all the patients and their attendants.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2016.
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