Green and white: K-P hoists the flag on Independence Day

Ceremonies held at HMC, LRH in the city.

SWABI/ NOWSHERA/ ABBOTABAD/ PESHAWAR/ BANNU/ SHANGLA: Pakistan flags were raised at various ceremonies held across the province on Friday to commemorate Independence Day. As expected, government buildings, universities, schools and hospitals alike were adorned with green-and-white buntings and decorations. A large number of people celebrated the occasion amid fanfare.

Flag hoisting at K-P Assembly

A flag-hoisting ceremony was organised at the K-P Assembly. According to a handout issued on Friday, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak raised the flag on the occasion.

Provincial ministers, advisers, parliamentary leaders and secretaries, members of K-P Assembly, along with and many others attended the event.

During the ceremony, guests observed a minute of silence before the flag was hoisted.

“Rose petals from a helicopter were showered on the flag as it was raised high in the air,” stated the handout. “A dance troupe of the FC delivered a spell-binding performance which was well-received by the audience.”

Khattak and other guests unanimously prayed for the country’s welfare as well as the well-being of its citizens and all those working for it.



Patriotic spirit

Similar ceremonies were held at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) and Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), among other places. Members of the hospital administrations and staff attended these ceremonies. The ceremony at HMC began at 8am. A large number of guests sang the national anthem and patriotic songs. HMC Medical Director Prof Noor Wazir hoisted the flag. At the second ceremony, LRH Medical Director Prof Amir Ghaffur raised the flag.

Hazara Division

All district headquarters of Hazara Division also organised flag-hoisting ceremonies at educational institutes, such as the main campus of Hazara University, Abbottabad University of Science & Technology and University of Haripur. Celebrations were observed in Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram and Kohistan. Schoolchildren sang patriotic songs and made speeches to mark the occasion.

After an interlude

Residents of Bannu district celebrated Independence Day with Pakistan Army after a span of 11 years. A huge gathering of the public and army officials was held at Bannu Sports Complex. Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza was the chief guest of the occasion. The residents of the district sang the national anthem, followed by patriotic songs, folk dance performances and various sports competitions.

A ceremony was also held in FC Lines Bannu. During the event, Major Usman distributed prizes among 44 officials and soldiers for their efforts in the battles against militancy and other achievements.

Shangla

In Shangla, Independence Day was celebrated zealously. Ceremonies were held in Chakesar, Bisham, Alpuri and many other areas of the district. The residents decorated their neighbourhoods with national flags and buntings. Centennial Model School arranged one of the largest ceremonies in the region.

The district administration of Nowshera and the education department organised a gathering to mark Independence Day at Government High School-I. Nowshera DC Zakaullah Khattak, police officials and education officials attended the ceremony.

University of Swabi also organised a ceremony where its Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Noor Jehan hoisted the flag. Addressing participants, Jehan said members of the academia have played an important role in the development of the country and said they should invest in it. Ceremonies were also held in Mardan, Lakki Marwat and Kohat districts. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2015.