PAF air show steals the show

Residents celebrate Independence Day around Karachi

KARACHI: The ground shook as Pakistan Air Force jet planes broke the sound barrier and performed stunts at Sea View on Monday. A huge crowd of eager citizens gathered at the beach to watch the air show organised by the air force in celebration of the country’s 70th Independence Day.

An air show is a rare occurrence and very few people in the crowd had witnessed an air show before. They watch avidly, not wanting to miss a single turn or move.

Parked cars crowded the area, as Sea View and half of Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue were covered, as citizens thronged the beach, eager for the show to start. The fighter jets left green and white smoke in their wake, flying low and joining groups of other planes before soaring off in their own directions. The stunts included flipping 360 degrees and taking nose dives after elevating to thousands of feet.



‘Dekho, dekho kese ulta hogaya pura [Look, look at how it completely flipped over]’ and ‘Kya colourful flares nikal rahay hain [Look at the colourful flares being emitted by the planes]’ were the reactions of people who had arrived at the beach, near Captain Farhan Shaheed Park, to witness the acrobatic air show. Pilots from the Pakistan Air Force were joined by Solo Turk - the famous aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force - and the internationally acclaimed Saudi Hawks of the Royal Saudi Air Force.

The air show featured Solo Turk - the famous aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force - and the internationally acclaimed Saudi Hawks of the Royal Saudi Air Force. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

Most citizens had come out with their families and many camped out on the roofs of their vehicles to witness the show. Many even offered other participants of the event a space on their vehicle tops to watch the show comfortably.

The weather is perfect, said Rizwan, as he shaded his eyes with his hand while he closely watched the planes’ acrobatic stunts. He said a little cloud cover with sunshine is always good for such a show. He added that he had seen a similar show in London once and was glad to see thousands of people enjoying the show in his hometown.

Mrs Qamar Mahmood, a resident of Defence phase VIII shared that such moments of celebrations are very rare in our country as we are a nation deprived of such moments. Mrs Mahmood was one of the many citizens who offered the roof of their vehicles to other participants at the event and even shared cold drinks with them.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also attended the event and said August 14 reminds us of the sacrifices made by millions of Muslims of the Subcontinent to have a separate homeland.



He said on August 14 Muslims of the Subcontinent were able to get a land of their own, where they could live a life according to their religion. “On August 14, 1947 we gained independence after remarkable efforts made by the father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah who was a man of great calibre and had the conviction that Muslims of this land could live happily when they would own a country led by their own people,” he said.

Citizens thronged the beach to witness the air show. PHOTO: Reuters

The chief minister said that the dream of Pakistan was conceived by Allama Iqbal but its realisation was achieved under the visionary guidance of Quaid-i-Azam. “His able leadership was even acknowledged by his worst enemies,” he said. “It was Jinnah who fought the case of Muslim nationhood. This was his charismatic personality that attracted the Muslims of India and forged them into a nation,” he said.

“This day demands from us to make a pledge today that we will make all efforts to build Pakistan into a more prosperous and strong country, even if we may have to sacrifices our lives,” said Murad.

 Official visits

Though the centre of attention was the air show, several other events were organised around the city. Youth traversed the city, dressed in patriotic colours and costumes, especially at the Mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam.



The mausoleum was visited by a large number of people, including the chief minister, governor and several other dignitaries.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the mausoleum, laid a floral wreath and paid homage to Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Murad, Parliamentary Minister Nisar Khuhro, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, Manzoor Wassan, Mumtaz Jakhrani, Culture Minister Sardar Shah, MPA Saeed Ghani and other leaders were also present on the occasion. Governor Mohammad Zubair also visited the mausoleum.

Students and other citizens visited the mausoleum. PHOTO: ONLINE

Durrani, along with lawmakers belonging to various political parties, also cut a cake and hoisted the national flag at the provincial assembly building. Durrani, while talking to the media, said that the Sindh Assembly was the first to adopt a resolution to create Pakistan and the founder of the nation also took an oath and addressed the session.

Also present at the mausoleum were a host of ordinary citizens who had come to pay homage to the founder of the nation and educate their youngsters. A senior citizen, Muhammad Ashfaq, arrived with his grandchildren and shared that he came to educate his grandchildren about the importance and real meaning of independence and also to make them realise the great role of father of the nation.

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar hoisted the national flag at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation building along with senior officials of the department. He said today we should make a pledge that we will serve our country with honesty and play our part in making Pakistan the country envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam. He added that citizens should play their part by not throwing garbage on the road, refrain from violating traffic laws and adopting tolerance in their lives.

Rally

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf held a rally from Insaf House in Nursery till the mausoleum. The rally was led by party leaders MNA Dr Arif Alvi, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Firdous Shamim Naqvi. PTI workers danced to national songs and chanted patriotic slogans during the rally.

Citizens were out on the streets, celebrating the nation's 70th birthday. PHOTO: AFP

During his short address, Dr Alvi said that on this occasion we are above political parties and are united as Pakistanis. He added that we have to get rid of ethnic and sectarian divides in order to make Pakistan prosper.

Arts Council

Independence Day celebrations at the Arts Council of Pakistan started on the night of August 13 and included a cake-cutting ceremony, mushaira by Amjad Islam Amjad, Iftikhar Arif, Fatima Hasan, Pirzada Qasim and a concert by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan.

The CM, who was chief guest on the occasion, said next year the Sindh government will support the Arts Council’s celebrations and massive fireworks show will be organised.

1,100 pound cake

The concluding ceremony of various ongoing activities organised by the Rangers since the beginning of August was held at the Moin Khan Academy.



Karachi Corps Commander Lt General Shahid Mirza Baig was the guest of honour at the ceremony. Sindh Rangers Director-General Major General Muhammad Saeed was also present at the ceremony, along with a large number of musicians, artists and local residents.

Songs from all regions of Pakistan were played at the event, as well as a T-20 cricket match. A martial arts and self-defence show was also organised at the event as well as a performance of national songs by the Rangers’ own band.

A special cake, weighing 1,100 pounds, was cut during the ceremony, which concluded with a prize distribution ceremony where the chief guest distributed awards among the winners of Lyari Youth Festival and the cricket match.