PESHAWAR: Like other parts of the country, the 68th Independence Day of the country was celebrated with national zeal and fervour in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas on Thursday.

In this connection, functions and ceremonies were held in various cities under the auspices of administration, various organisations and political parties.

In Peshawar, the main official event was held at Malik Saad Khan Police Lines where Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, who was chief guest on the occasion, hoisted national flag.

Addressing on the occasion, the chief minister said that Independence Day wanted renewal of the commitment to join hands and sacrifice lives for the protection of the country.

Flag hoisting ceremonies held and special prayers offered for progress and prosperity of the country

He alleged that successive governments failed to identify the path of national development as the rulers accepted every illegal demand of the imperialist powers to prolong their rule. Similarly, he said, the country was pushed into terrorism and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was badly affected by it.

The function was arranged by Municipal Corporation Peshawar. Besides Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, the function was attended by Provincial Minister for Local Government Inayatullah, MPA Shaukat Yousafzai, Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan, IGP Nasir Durrani, Secretary Local Governmetn Hifzur Rehman, Commissioner Munir Azam, Deputy Commissioner Syed Zaheerul Islam, CCPO Ejaz Khan and other senior officials.

The students of Municipal College Peshawar presented national anthem and national songs on the occasion. A police squad also presented guard of honour and prayers were offered for progress, development and security of the country.

The chief minister paid rich tributes to all leaders of Pakistan Movement and renewed the pledge that they would not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for protection of the country.

“The sacrifices rendered by our elders for independence were not honoured and feudal and vested interest rulers started massive exploitation of the poor,” Mr Khattak.

The chief minister said that terrorism was not restricted to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa only rather the entire country was affected by it.

Another function was held in Hayatabad where Adviser to Prime Minister Eng Amir Muqam hoisted the national flag. He recalled the sacrifices rendered by the national heroes during Pakistan Movement and said that the nation should not forget the struggle and work for protection of the country.

He said that all citizens, particularly politicians, were duty bound to foil conspiracies against the state and work for strengthening of democracy. He also criticised Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan for taking out protest rallies on the Independence Day.

The drivers of yellow cabs also took out a rally from Hayatabad Phase-III Chowk that ended outside Peshawar Press Club. The president of the drivers association, Haji Zarwali Khan, said that being Pakistanis every citizen was bound to celebrate the Independence Day and express love for the country.

The Independence Day was also celebrated in high and primary schools at Din Bahar Colony where students presented tableaus, national anthem and songs to recall sacrifices of the national heroes. The national day was also celebrated at Pakistan Medical Research Council, Khyber Medical College and Peshawar Central Prison.

The personnel of law enforcement agencies were deployed at entry and exit points in Peshawar to check movement of suspected persons. Police also remained alert to thwart any untoward incident.

In Lakki Marwat: The commanding officer of Tajazai Camp, Col Imran hoisted national flag at district headquarters complex. An army contingent presented salute and scouts of Government Higher Secondary School Tajazai presented the national anthem.

Another function was held at police lines where District Police Officer Ismail Kharak hoisted the national flag while sports department organised sports events including football, cricket, kabaddi and karate in connection with the Independence Day.

In Kohat, the Hindu community celebrated Independence Day at Guru Mandar at Shimla Pahari to express love for their country.

Commissioner Jamalud Din Shah was chief guest on the occasion. The Hindu community hosted a tea party and distributed sweets among the participants of the ceremony.

Another function was held at tehsil municipal administration offices where the national flag was hoisted jointly by the commissioner, MNA Shehyar Afridi and MPA Ziaullah Bangash.

In Karak, a ceremony was held at Khushal Khan Khattak University to mark the Independence Day. Vice-chancellor Dr Ibrahim Khattak was the chief guest on the occasion.

Another ceremony was held at the deputy commissioner office which was largely attended by government officials.

In Swabi, a colourful function was held at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Topi.

The flag hoisting ceremony was attended by faculty members and other staff and students of GIK College. The national anthem was presented by a group of students and other participants joined them.

Another ceremony was held at the office of deputy commissioner while PML-N also organised a huge gathering in Kunda Mor to celebrate the Independence Day.

In Chitral, the Independence Day celebrations started with the hoisting of national flag by Deputy Commissioner Aminul Haque at his office after which he addressed a function held in Government High School Chitral. Other functions were organised in different localities of the district including Drosh, Booni, Garam Chashma, Warijun and Mastuj in connection with the Independence Day.

In Abbottabad, national flag hoisting ceremony was held at Jalal Baba Auditorium wherein Commissioner Abid Ali was the chief guest. The ceremony was largely participated by government officials and principals of schools and colleges.

The students of different schools presented tableaus and national songs to mark the day. In Swat, various events were held to mark Independence Day and national flag hoisting ceremonies were organised.

The main ceremony was held at army headquarters in Khwazakhela where General Officer Commanding of Malakand Maj Gen Javed Mehmood Bukhari hoisted the national flag.

In Mansehra, Deputy Commissioner Zulfiqar Shah hoisted the national flag at government higher secondary school to mark the Independence Day.

The students of different schools presented national songs, skits and speeches at Thakra Stadium to pay homage to the national heroes.

In Dir Lower, different functions were held in Timergara, Ouch, Chakdara, Lal Qila Maidan, Munda, Samar Bagh, Talash and Khall to mark the Independence Day. The ceremonies were attended by students, teachers, civil and military officers and elders of the district.

In Buner, national flag hoisting ceremonies were held to mark the Independence Day. Special prayers were offered for the integrity and prosperity of the country.

In Khyber Agency, flag hoisting ceremonies and colourful events were arranged to mark the Independence Day.

The main function was held at Government High School Landi Kotal where school children presented impressive PT show and a tug-of-war was held between local sportsmen and Khasadar Force.

The national flag was hoisted at the offices of political administration both in Jamrud and Landi Kotal. Various private schools also arranged an impressive ceremony where students sang national songs and presented skits.

MNA Haji Shahji Gul and MNA Nasir Khan celebrated the Independence Day at Jalozai camp with IDPs from Bara and presented them gifts and cash prizes.

In Bajaur Agency, the Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional zeal. The main flag hoisting ceremony was held on the premises of local administration compound in Khar.

Political Agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah along with tribal elders and members of peace committees hoisted the national flag.

Special prayers were also offered for restoration of peace and progress of the country.

In Mohmand Agency, a ceremony was held at the headquarters of Mohmand Rifles wherein national flag was hoisted and special prayers were offered for the progress, solidarity and prosperity of the country.

Another ceremony was also held to mark the day that was attended by Political Agent Khushal Khan government officials, tribal elders, teachers, students and heads of peace committees.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2014