Independence Day celebrated with zeal across Sindh

People participate in rallies, officials attend events at govt buildings and public places

THATTA/ LARKANA/ HYDERABAD: As elected representatives and government officials of Sindh marked Independence Day by attending flag hoisting ceremonies, citizens of the province added colour to the celebrations in their own enthusiastic and innovative ways.

The day dawned with official events in all districts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah divisions. Elected representatives, officials of the district administration and police officers raised the country's flag at events organised at government buildings and cut cakes. A 700 pound cake was cut in Nawabshah district to celebrate independence.

A family enjoys Independence Day in Hyderabad. PHOTO:PPI

Government offices all over Sindh were illuminated in green and white. In Hyderabad, the largest official ceremony in the morning was addressed by the city's commissioner, Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo. "The time has come to fulfil the promises we made to this country. In our every act, we have to give priority to Pakistan," he said. The commissioner also stressed on the need for safeguarding the country's heritage.



Hyderabad DIG Khadim Hussain Rind paid tribute to the sacrifices of security forces on the occasion. The nation, while celebrating the Independence Day, should remember that the day is being celebrated peacefully across the country due to sacrifices of law enforcement personnel, he said. "The cowardly terrorists target women and children. If they want to fight, we are ready for it," the DIG added.

Girls presenting tableau in Sukkur to celebrate August 14. PHOTO: NAEEM AHMED GHOURI

In Mirpurkhas division, the central event took place at the commissioner complex where officials hoisted the national flag and police presented a guard of honour. "Sindh especially played a significant role to achieve independence, as it was the first province to table a resolution for Pakistan," recalled Mirpurkhas Commissioner Shafique Ahmed Mahesar.

Law and Prisons Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, along with Mirpurkhas division commissioner and DIG hoisted the national flag during a ceremony at the district administration's secretariat.

In Larkana city, the main event was held at Benazir Bhutto Municipal Stadium. Commissioner Ghulam Abbas Baloch, Mayor Aslam Shaikh, Deputy Commissioner Kashif Ali Tipu, SSP Sajid Amir Sadozai and other government officers attended the event and witnessed the guard of honour. Pigeons were also set free at the event to symbolise peace and independence.

Children holding flags in Hyderabad to mark Independence Day. PHOTO:PPI

The business community, educational institutions and individuals also celebrated Independence Day in a multitude of ways all over Sindh. As the clock hit midnight, fireworks coloured the sky and aerial firing resounded in several districts, while hundreds of big and small rallies moved on the streets throughout the day.



A month-long exhibition was organised in Hyderabad's central park, known as Rani Bagh, by the Qasimabad Municipal Committee. The Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) also arranged an industrial, trade and entertainment exhibition at a park in the SITE area. The traders associations in many other districts also arranged events and activities to celebrate the day.

Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, celebrated the day in a glorious manner. A large number of professors, doctors, students and employees attended the celebration. Addressing the gathering, Registrar Dr Afsar Bhutto said the development of any country was directly associated with standards of education and health facilities available to the public. Prof Ali Akbar Soomro said on the occasion that the new generation must celebrate the Independence Day like Eid. The day teaches us philosophy of living and letting others live, said the professor.

Cadet College Larkana also organised a function on Monday. Principal Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Iftikhar Hussain performed the hoisting ceremony, which was followed by singing of the National Anthem in a chorus. Speaking on the occasion, the principal paid rich tributes to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders of Pakistan Movement. "We should follow Quaid-i-Azam's principles of unity, faith and discipline, shun differences and work to strengthen our homeland," he said.

A view of fireworks at Thandi Sadak, Hyderabad. PHOTO:APP

Residents of Thatta and Sujawal towns  held rallies on Monday to mark Independence Day with zeal and fervor. Ceremonies were organised at the Police Lane Ground and Sindh University Campus in Thatta and DC Office in Sujawal, where national flags were hoisted and cakes cut.

Nojawan Yaariyan Boys held a rally in Thatta which marched through different roads. Participants of the rally chanted slogans for the sanctity of Pakistan. Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz also staged a rally which was attended by a large number of people.



The celebrations in Hyderabad were, however, marred by power outages. Complaints regarding power disruption started from the eve of August 14 and continued throughout the day in different areas. The citizens blamed Hyderabad Electric Supply Company for failing to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity even on the day when power demand of the industrial, commercial and government consumers is at its lowest.