Thousands take part in Aug 14 rallies

Flag hoisting ceremonies held by political, social organisations

KARACHI:

Hundreds and thousands of jubilant people took to the streets to mark Independence Day.

Dressed in green themed dresses, men, women and children rode in cars, bikes and cycles around the city to celebrate the joys of freedom.

Interestingly, city traffic police chief DIG Ahmed Nawaz had directed his force not penalise anyone today.

"Let people off with a warning…no chalans on Independence Day," he told traffic cops during a flag march.

The day dawned with the traditional 21-shot cannon salute at military garrison.

Special prayers were offered at mosques, besides other places of worships, including, churches and mandirs.

A Change of the Guards ceremony took place at the mausoleum of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to commemorate the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan on Monday.

A meticulously turned-out contingent from the Pakistan Naval Academy assumed the ceremonial guard duties at the mausoleum.

On the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori visited the mausoleum and paid rich tributes to Quiad-i-Azam.

They laid wreaths and offered fateha and prayed for the development and prosperity of the country.

The governor and chief minister redetermined to follow the principles of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and inked their impressions in the visitor's book.

They also fluttered the national flag on the premises of the mausoleum.

A large number of citizens were also present on the occasion.

Speaking to the media, the governor reiterated his commitment to follow the principles of Quaid.

He said that the country was achieved after many sacrifices.

The chief minister said that the caretaker chief minister will be finalised in a day or two as the assemblies have been dissolved in the country.

He expressed his hope that the people will freely exercise their right to vote.

Murad saluted the dedicated officers of law enforcement agencies, who embraced martyrdom for protecting borders and maintaining law and order in the country.

He said we should also remember the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine.

He also condemned the murder of a journalist Jan Mohammed Mahar in Sukkur.

JI talks of hope, courage

 Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi held a vivid flag hoisting ceremony at New MA Jinnah Road, near Idara Noor-e-Haq, featuring internationally acclaimed athletes Delawar Khan, Shadab Baloch and Agha Kaleem, to mark Independence Day Celebrations, here on Monday.

JI Karachi Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman hoisted the flag and delivered the keynote address on the occasion.

A large number of citizens, particularly students participated in the short but graceful ceremony.

Internationally famed athletes - Delawar Khan, Shadab Baloch, Agha Kaleem - accompanied Naeemur Rehman at the flag hoisting ceremony.

Athletes Shadab Baloch and Agha Kaleem walked over 11 kilometers from Alkhidmat hospital, Orangi Town to Idara Noor-e-Haq in order to celebrate the Independence Day.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman in his address propagated the message of hope and courage to the nation and said that Pakistan is destined to become an Islamic Welfare State, however the nation will have to stand for this cause for the sake of upcoming generations.

MQM-P vows to struggle for true freedom Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Pakistan (MQM-P) on the culmination of its 10-day celebration of independence from August 4 to 10, held a massive rally at Five-Star Intersection in North Nazimabad.

Addressing the rally MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said freedom is the greatest gift from God and the greatest pride in life.

It's also the greatest form of worship for humanity, a blessing bestowed by Allah Almighty.

"Let the day of the August 14 dawn with the passion to lead the incomplete freedom towards its full realisation," he said.

Siddiqui further stated, "time for those who seek to steal our freedom is coming to an end.

Congratulations to all of you on the 76th Independence Day from the depths of my heart."