The 74th Independence Day was observed with fervour and traditional zeal on Friday with flag hoisting, cake cutting events along with mass rallies and even sporting events.
The main Independence Day ceremony was held at the Police Lines in Peshawar where Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan unfurled the green flag and hoisted it.
A smartly turned out contingent of police saluted the national flag while the police band played the national anthem.
On the occasion, Mahmood said that Pakistan came into being as a result of a tireless struggle and unprecedented sacrifices. He added that it was the individual and collective responsibility of all citizens of this country to strengthen and develop it into a great nation.
The chief minister said that their party aimed to turn the country into a true welfare state as per the vision of the founders of Pakistan.
He further said that the incumbent government, after restoring normalcy and peace in the province, was taking steps to make the province a hub for domestic and foreign tourism.
Later, the chief minister laid a wreath on the monument of police martyrs and offered Fatiha. Peshawar unity rally
Elsewhere in the provincial capital, the resident Sikh community staged a massive rally. Wearing turbans in the national green and white colours, hundreds of Sikhs and residents of the city from all other faiths joined in a rally which commenced from Gurdwara Jogan Shah.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Minority Affairs Wazirzada participated in the rally as it marched towards Jinnah Park via Khyber Bazaar. At the park, a large Independence Day cake was cut and dances were performed to the beat of drums. Participants of the rally, young and old, shouted slogans of "Long live Pakistan".
Later, Wazirzada told the media that there is no problem with the minorities of the country and that they all enjoy safety and security like everyone else.
This country is ours and we must celebrate its independence together, he said.Sporting traditions.
As is tradition, sports festivals were held to mark the day. In this regard, the respective district sporting bodies held mini-tournaments for judo, hockey (the national sport), cycling and others.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2020.
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