Honouring the flag: Country erupts in joy amid air of peace
People shed their fears and celebrate 69th Independence Day without restraint
President Mamnoon hoists the Pakistani flag at the Convention Centre in Islamabad as Premier Nawaz looks on. PHOTO: ONLINE
ABBOTABAD/PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI:
Pakistan witnessed scaled up Independence Day celebrations on Friday as people across large swathes of territory stretching from Karachi to the tribal areas shook off their militancy fears and plunged headlong into unrestrained song and dance routines in the wake of successful military-run operations against terrorist and insurgent groups.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif noted the difference in his Independence Day speech, observing that his compatriots were marking August 14, 2015 in a better, more peaceful atmosphere than in the previous years.
The premier’s sentiments were mirrored as pronouncedly in the major cities as in the war-torn tribal areas. Independence Day festivities have been subdued in the tribal region because of militancy. This year, however, a large number of people from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas were able to celebrate the occasion without restraint.
In Karachi alone it seemed like entire families had taken to the streets, waving the flag and breaking into song and dance at random locations.
Loudspeakers blared out patriotic songs in every neighbourhood and motorcycles spared the use of silencers for most part of the day.
The day began with the customary flag-hoisting ceremony and gun salute at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, followed by various rallies and events organised by different organisations and schools.
Towards the evening, a large number of people headed to the Clifton beach to pay a customary homage to the Arabian Sea.
The patriotic sentiments did not, however, sit well with the roads of the city, most of which witnessed severe traffic jams.
Moreover, as parts of the city erupted in aerial firing soon after the clock struck midnight, nearly a dozen people were injured by stray bullets. The deployment of a large number of Rangers and policemen failed to deter such incidents.
In Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Independence Day ceremonies should not be taken as an opportunity to only deliver speeches. “They should serve as an occasion to review the progress made by the country over the past year.”
He was speaking at a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Hazoori Bagh compound. He urged government officials to reflect on their performance and determine if they were honouring the national flag and the principles laid down for them by the Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
In the twin-cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, a large number of people thronged parks and other public places to spend their Independence Day holiday.
They also braved many hurdles, including suspension of cellular services until midday, while major roads leading to Murree were closed until the afternoon.
Lok Virsa held various programmes at Shakaparian, Islamabad, including an exhibition of 12 young talents in various crafts, a children’s art contest at the Pakistan Monument Museum, and a crafts bazaar with live folk musical performances at the Heritage Museum.
Allama Iqbal Open University held event at campuses nationwide, including at the main campus in Islamabad.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was organised at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts head office in the federal capital. The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) also marked its eighth anniversary in Rawalpindi.
Pakistani flags were also raised at various Independence Day ceremonies across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Government buildings, universities, schools and hospitals were adorned with green-and-white bunting, as a large number of people celebrated the occasion amid fanfare.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the K-P Assembly. Similar ceremonies were held at the Hayatabad Medical Complex and the Lady Reading Hospital.
All district headquarters of Hazara Division also organised flag-hoisting ceremonies at educational institutions.
Residents of Bannu district celebrated Independence Day with the Pakistan Army after a span of 11 years. A large gathering of civilians and army officials was held at the Bannu Sports Complex.
In Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said terrorism in the province would be countered through a multidimensional strategy.
“Development of the country is linked to the development of Balochistan,” he said while addressing an Independence Day ceremony at the provincial assembly. “The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will also bring an economic change in the entire region.”
CM Malik said Independence Day was being celebrated across the province with fervour and enthusiasm for the past week.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2015.
Pakistan witnessed scaled up Independence Day celebrations on Friday as people across large swathes of territory stretching from Karachi to the tribal areas shook off their militancy fears and plunged headlong into unrestrained song and dance routines in the wake of successful military-run operations against terrorist and insurgent groups.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif noted the difference in his Independence Day speech, observing that his compatriots were marking August 14, 2015 in a better, more peaceful atmosphere than in the previous years.
The premier’s sentiments were mirrored as pronouncedly in the major cities as in the war-torn tribal areas. Independence Day festivities have been subdued in the tribal region because of militancy. This year, however, a large number of people from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas were able to celebrate the occasion without restraint.
In Karachi alone it seemed like entire families had taken to the streets, waving the flag and breaking into song and dance at random locations.
Loudspeakers blared out patriotic songs in every neighbourhood and motorcycles spared the use of silencers for most part of the day.
The day began with the customary flag-hoisting ceremony and gun salute at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, followed by various rallies and events organised by different organisations and schools.
Towards the evening, a large number of people headed to the Clifton beach to pay a customary homage to the Arabian Sea.
The patriotic sentiments did not, however, sit well with the roads of the city, most of which witnessed severe traffic jams.
Moreover, as parts of the city erupted in aerial firing soon after the clock struck midnight, nearly a dozen people were injured by stray bullets. The deployment of a large number of Rangers and policemen failed to deter such incidents.
In Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Independence Day ceremonies should not be taken as an opportunity to only deliver speeches. “They should serve as an occasion to review the progress made by the country over the past year.”
He was speaking at a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Hazoori Bagh compound. He urged government officials to reflect on their performance and determine if they were honouring the national flag and the principles laid down for them by the Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
In the twin-cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, a large number of people thronged parks and other public places to spend their Independence Day holiday.
They also braved many hurdles, including suspension of cellular services until midday, while major roads leading to Murree were closed until the afternoon.
Lok Virsa held various programmes at Shakaparian, Islamabad, including an exhibition of 12 young talents in various crafts, a children’s art contest at the Pakistan Monument Museum, and a crafts bazaar with live folk musical performances at the Heritage Museum.
Allama Iqbal Open University held event at campuses nationwide, including at the main campus in Islamabad.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was organised at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts head office in the federal capital. The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) also marked its eighth anniversary in Rawalpindi.
Pakistani flags were also raised at various Independence Day ceremonies across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Government buildings, universities, schools and hospitals were adorned with green-and-white bunting, as a large number of people celebrated the occasion amid fanfare.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the K-P Assembly. Similar ceremonies were held at the Hayatabad Medical Complex and the Lady Reading Hospital.
All district headquarters of Hazara Division also organised flag-hoisting ceremonies at educational institutions.
Residents of Bannu district celebrated Independence Day with the Pakistan Army after a span of 11 years. A large gathering of civilians and army officials was held at the Bannu Sports Complex.
In Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said terrorism in the province would be countered through a multidimensional strategy.
“Development of the country is linked to the development of Balochistan,” he said while addressing an Independence Day ceremony at the provincial assembly. “The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will also bring an economic change in the entire region.”
CM Malik said Independence Day was being celebrated across the province with fervour and enthusiasm for the past week.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2015.