Get your nationalism on: ‘Independence Day festivities to last all month’

August 13 would be observed to pay tribute to fallen heroes.

FAISALABAD:

The government is taking special measures to celebrate Independence Day festivities in Faisalabad division throughout the month of August, Divisional Commissioner Sardar Akram Javed said at a meeting on Monday.

The meeting was held to finalise arrangements in connection with various activities planned for the month.

The commissioner said the Independence Day celebrations will begin on August 1. The national flag will be hoisted on all important buildings in the city, he said.

Javed said the government would mobilise lawyers, traders, members of minority groups, women, students, labourers and religious leaders to arrange events in connection with the Independence Day.

The commissioner announced that August 13 would be observed as the day of martyrs in the Pakistan Movement. Candles will be lit in various parts of the city in connection with Youm-i-Shuhda, he said.

Javed said that flag hoisting ceremonies will be held on August 14 in all tehsils.

The commissioner said that August 15 would be observed as Youm-i-Dua (day of prayer). He said sports activities would be held throughout the district on August 16 and 17. August 19 will be marked as the day of solidarity, he said.

The commissioner also said that several debating and national songs competitions, recitation of the national anthem, stage plays, exhibition of portraits of national heroes, mushairas, seminars, walks and other various events will be organised during the month. He said banners emblazoned with quotes by Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal will be displayed throughout the district.

The commissioner said that marketplaces and streets will be decorated and buildings illuminated during the month.

He asked lawmakers to develop and share a comprehensive plan for their activities in connection with the Independence Day. He said the district administration will extend all possible support in this regard.

Several lawmakers present at the meeting assured the commissioner that they had planned several activities to shore up enthusiasm and zeal among the people in regards to August celebrations. They said they were expecting a large turnout at rallies and events planned throughout the month.

The lawmakers said that these events would be about expressing sentiments of nationalism, brotherhood, fraternity, solidarity, unity and faith. The commissioner said he hoped that the coming month would be a festive and colourful one.

He urged people to take maximum benefits of the recreational facilities provided to them at the events. He said families should come out in with zeal and enthusiasm to celebrate their freedom and to remember the struggles of the thousands who had perished during the mass migration in 1947.

He said Pakistan had gone through hard times but its people had remained strong and committed.

He said the government wanted to ensure that citizens enjoyed independence day as it was a very important national holiday.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2014.