Independence fever grips K-P

Independence Day preparations reached fever pitch in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including the seven merged tribal districts, where bazaars and markets were flooded with national flags, posters and other decorative accessories ahead of August 14 (today).

Peshawar's oldest bazaars including Qissa Khwani, Karimpura, Mohalla Jhangi, Meena bazaar, Hashtnagri, Liaquat, Faqirabad and others were decorated with the green and white colours of the national flags on the eve of the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan.

The most charged were the youth who were busy buying national flags, banners, stickers, models of historical buildings and portraits of the heroes of the Independence Movement, besides colouring their vehicles in the green and white of the country's flag.

Balahisar Fort, Governor House, Peshawar Museum, Ghanta Ghar, University of Peshawar, Civil Secretariat, Islamia College Peshawar, FC Headquarters, Peshawar Development Authority, State Life and Deans Trade Centre were artistically illuminated with colourful buntings, attracting people's attention.

National flags were hoisted on all government buildings in Peshawar where people decorated their vehicles with green and white colours to celebrate Independence Day.

"Since my childhood, I regularly came with my father to paint my face with the national flag by an expert artist of Peshawar to look different on Independence Day," said Naina Bibi, a resident of Nowshera who was decorating her face and hands with green and white colours of Pakistani flag at Qissa Khwani Bazar.

Carrying a plastic bag with plenty of national flags, stickers, models of Islamia College Peshawar and Minar-e-Pakistan, she was feeling happy after purchasing 400 badges, stickers and posters for brothers, sisters, relatives and schoolfellows to mark the occasion.

Wearing a green and white shirt with badges, Naina said Independence Day enhances the spirit of patriotism and she will come again with family to watch the flag hoisting ceremony in Peshawar