Resolution revisited: Karachi celebrates Pakistan Day in style

KARACHI:

As the nation celebrated Pakistan Day for the first time in seven years, Karachi took the festivities up a notch by taking the party to the open sea.

The rally, titled 'Caravan-e-Bahar', was organised by the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and started from Ibrahim Hyderi, with a number of boats decorated with colourful buntings and the national flag. The ceremony wore a festive look as children presented tableaus while renowned folk singers and dancers performed traditional dances. PML-Q leader Haleem Adil Sheikh hoisted the national flag in the open sea to celebrate the United Nation's decision to increase Pakistan's coastal limits by 50,000 square kilometres.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan visited the Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum on Monday and paid tribute to the great leader on the occasion.  Several members of the Sindh cabinet, including Nisar Khuhro, Manzoor Wasan and Sharmila Farooqi also attended the ceremony. They were accompanied by senior officials and representatives of the police, naval and armed forces.

The chief minister and governor laid floral wreaths on the grave of the founder of the nation and marked their impressions in the visitor's book.

At a ceremony held at Governor House later, Khan, on behalf of President Mamnoon Hussain, conferred civilian awards upon 27 persons for their services in various sectors. Five persons were decorated with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 12 were bestowed the pride of performance award while 10 were conferred the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2015.