People celebrate Independence Day

Ceremonies, Kashmir Solidarity rallies held across the city

RAWALPINDI: The citizens of twin cities celebrated 72nd Independence Day with great zeal and fervour.

Buildings and roads were illuminated with colourful lights and decorated with green and white buntings. Apart from this, national flags were hoisted atop buildings of all sizes while patriotic songs were also being played aloud at different spots and in vehicles.

Youngsters in form of groups were seen moving around in their vehicles, which prominently displayed flags of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, chanting slogans in favour of Kashmir and against Indian oppression. Dozens of ceremonies were organised in different areas of the federal capital and the garrison city where people cut cake in connection with Independence Day.

The main flag hoisting ceremony of Rawalpindi city was held at Government Viqarun Nisa Post Graduate College. The event was attended by Rawalpindi Commissioner Saqib Zafar, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Regional Police Officer Ahsan Tufail, City Police Officer Faisal Rana, district administration officials, teaching and non-teaching staff. A well-turned-out contingent of police presented salute to the national flag.

Commissioner Zafar said that Pakistanis were standing alongside their Kashmiri brethren in time of hardships while the Independence Day was being celebrated as a day to express solidarity with people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

In another ceremony at Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI) held a Kashmir Solidarity March which was attended by Commissioner Zafar, MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, DC Randhawa, RPO Tufail and representatives from traders community including Ghafoor Paracha, Sharjeel Mir and Zafar Qadri.

MNA Shafiq said the government of Pakistan was standing with Kashmiris and told the public that his family had played a vital role in the freedom movement of Kashmir.



RCCI leader Sohail Altaf presented a resolution condemning abolishment of Article 370 from Indian constitution and supported the government’s decision to end trade with India.

Further, Rawalpindi Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nadeem Shaikh dedicated all joys of Independence Day to Kashmiris and the martyrs. While addressing a Pakistan Zindabad rally he said they would sacrifice their flesh and bones for the country.

National Highway and Motorway Police also organized a ceremony at the motorway toll plaza, Islamabad on occasion of Independence Day.

Famous cricketer, Shadab Khan and Zonal Chief DIG Motorway police, Ashfaq Ahmad Khan, along with officials from Pakistan army, motor police officials etc attended the ceremony. The students sang songs to express solidarity and unity with Kashmiris.

Addressing the participants, DIG Motorway Ashfaq Ahmad Khan said Pakistan was a gift for all and elders made everlasting sacrifices for the sake of it. He expressed that the day demanded a pledge for taking it to the highest stage of development.

Shadab Khan along with motorway police officials and schoolchildren created awareness amongst participants regarding road safety and distributed gifts amongst them.

He chanted slogans in favour of Pakistan Independence Day and expressed solidarity with masses of IOK.

A colourful flag hoisting and Kashmir Solidarity Day was organized under auspices of Rawalpindi Arts Council to mark Independence Day celebrations here on Wednesday. Director RAC Waqar Ahmed accompanied by students and artists hoisted the flag along-with Kashmiri flags. The local singers presented national and Kashmiri songs on the occasion. The participants also chanted slogan in favour of people of Kashmir. Addressing on the occasion, Director RAC Waqar Ahmed said that people of Pakistan have shown solidarity with the people of Kashmir on Independence Day. On the occasion, special prayers were offered for the prosperity of the country.

Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) celebrated 72nd Independence Day of Pakistan with great enthusiasm and veneration at University campus here on Wednesday. The flag hoisting ceremony was performed by Prof. Dr Samina Amin Qadir, Vice-Chancellor of FJWU in the university premises. The national anthem was also played on this occasion. University faculty, staff members were also present. Vice-Chancellor said that it is our responsibility to protect our motherland Pakistan. There is a huge responsibility on our shoulders. We have to work day and night for the progress and welfare of our motherland Pakistan. She said, "Pakistan is our identity and it's a day to fulfil our commitments to this motherland'' and every one of us should own Pakistan and everybody performing his/her duties honestly.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2019.