Independence Day celebrated in high spirits

Flag-hoisting ceremonies organised on the occasion across Sindh

KARACHI/HYDERABAD/SUKKUR: Fireworks lit up the dark sky on the eve of August 14, as exhilaration pervaded the air on the streets and a large number of people headed out to celebrate the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan.

Celebrations in cities across the province began before the clocks struck 12 at midnight of August 14. People dressed in green and white, particularly the youth, were seen taking part in rallies and dancing to patriotic songs.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah hoisted the national flag during a ceremony at Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum on the occasion. He was received by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad along with his cabinet members at Mazar-e-Quaid. The officials laid a floral wreath at the tomb of the nation's founder, offered Surah-e-Fateha for him and recorded views on the struggle of the great leader in the visitors' book. In Hyderabad, ceremonies and rallies began on Saturday night and continued through Sunday. The day dawned with flag-raising ceremonies arranged by the district administrations in all the districts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah divisions. The ceremonies also included march-past by the police and sports activities. Educational institutions and traders also organised special events to mark the day.

Rallies arranged by political parties and citizens began on Saturday evening. The main squares, such as Hyder Chowk, Gul Center, Unit 7, Ali Palace Chowk and many other roads, seemed to be seething with patriotism. "We, the young generation, feel more enthusiastic about our country," said a university student, Noman Ali, who was participating in a rally that began from Latifabad Unit 7.

In Nawabshah, a group of youngsters claimed to have stitched a 900-foot-long flag of Pakistan. Commemorative events were also arranged at Sindh University, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Sindh Agriculture University and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Nawabshah, and other higher education institutions.

Meanwhile, spirits were high in Sukkur and other parts of upper Sindh as well. The main flag-hoisting ceremony was held in Jinnah Municipal Stadium, Sukkur.

Sindh transport minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, MNA Nauman Islam Shaikh, Sukkur commissioner Muhammad Abbas Baloch, Sukkur DIG Captain (retd) Feroze Shah, SSP Sukkur Amjad Ahmed Shaikh and others attended the ceremony. The national anthem was sung and tableaux were performed by students of various schools. "We are proud to be Pakistani and today is the day to renew our pledge to lay our lives if needed," said MNA Shaikh, while congratulating the nation. Similar ceremonies were also held in other parts of upper Sindh, including Khairpur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Ghotki and Larkana.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2016.