Faisalabad marks Diamond Jubilee
Residents carry national flags as they watch fireworks to mark Independence Day. PHOTO: AFP
The Diamond Jubilee of Pakistan was celebrated with full national zeal and zest in Faisalabad on Sunday with a renewed pledge to make all efforts to steer the country out of prevalent crises and transform it into a modern welfare state.
To mark the day, an impressive flag-hoisting ceremony was held in the office complex where Divisional Commissioner Zahid Hussain unfurled the national flag.
Members of the Provincial Assembly, Shakeel Shahid and Firdous Rae, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Mueen Masood, Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad, Imran Hamid Sheikh, City Police Officer (CPO) Umar Saeed Malik and others also attended the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Zahid Hussain said, “14th August is a day of commitment for renewing pledge that we are a strong nation and have the capability to meet any challenges.”
He urged the people to play their due role for the development of country by promoting love, peace and interfaith harmony.
The commissioner, along with others, also planted sapling in the lawn of his office.
Earlier, a siren was blown at 8:58am after which a one-minute silence was observed. The participants also recited the National Anthem after hoisting the National Flag.
Smartly turned-out contingents of police, Rescue 1122 and the Civil Defence presented salute and a march-past.
Students sang national songs.
Special prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Later, sweets were also distributed among the participants, and balloons were released in the air.
Earlier, the day dawned with special prayers in the main mosques after Fajr prayer for the prosperity and solidarity of the nation.
Quran Khawani was also held for the Pakistan Movement martyrs. Various social, political, trade and religious organizations also arranged a number of events to highlight the importance of Independence.
Markets and streets were decorated tastefully with buntings and national flags.
Banners/steamers inscribed with the slogans of patriotism were displayed at important roads and intersections.
Police had made tight security arrangements for the Azadi functions.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh visited the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and the District Jail and distributed fruits and sweets among patients and prisoners.
The DC also went to different wards and greeted the patients on the Independence Day.
University of Sargodha
A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the University of Sargodha on Sunday to mark the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof Dr Muhammad Athar Nadeem, who is also the principal of the University College of Agriculture, was the chief guest.
He hoisted the national flag in front of the vice chancellor’s office.
Prof Dr Muhammad Athar Nadeem said that Pakistan has a significant place in the comity of nations, owing to its history of sacrifices, bravery and independence.
He said that those nations who always worked for the development and stability of their homeland were successful and prosperous. He urged the students to focus on education, research, innovation, inventions and discoveries to bring about an educational revolution in the country.
National songs were sung and later the Deputy Treasurer, Muhammad Fayyaz, offered prayers for the development and stability of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2022.