PESHAWAR: Like other parts of the country, the Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day was also observed on Sunday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Gilgit-Baltistan with national zeal under tight security arrangements.

In the provincial capital, national flag hoisting ceremonies were held on the premises of different government offices, educational institutions, Peshawar Press Club, and rallies were organised.

Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel hoisted the national flag at the high court. Sitting as well as retired judges and chief justices of the high court, deputy attorney general and provincial law officers, president and members of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association and others were in attendance.

In view of the tragic Quetta hospital bombing wherein many lawyers lost their lives, the ceremony was held in a very simple manner. Special prayers were offered for the departed souls.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak hoisted national flag at the lawns of the Civil Secretariat where several provincial ministers, government officers and political activists were also present.

Similarly, Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra hoisted national flag at the Governor House and also addressed a function held in connection with the Independence Day.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Zulfiqar Ali Khan hoisted national flag at the chamber offices.

To celebrate the independence day, a cake-cutting ceremony was held at Peshawar Press Club where provincial secretary information Tahir Hassan was the chief guest, while leaders of various political parties, including PTI MPA Arif Yousuf, PPP former provincial president Syed Zahir Ali Shah, JI secretary information Mohammad Iqbal, JUI-F secretary information Maulana Abdul Jalil Jan, PTI MPA Zareen Zia and large number of journalists participated.

The Independence Day was also celebrated at Police Training College, Hangu. The national flag was hoisted by Commandant Dr Fasihuddin Ashraf. A message of IGP Nasir Khan Durrani was read out to the recruits on the occasion.

All Sarhad Goods Transport and Adda Owners Federation also took out a vehicular rally from Peshtakhara Chowk to Jamil Chowk. It was led by the federation’s president Jamal Afridi.

A flag-hoisting ceremony was also held at the 1122 Rescue Service headquarters, where its director general Dr Asad Ali hoisted the national flag. A similar ceremony was held at Pakistan Academy for Rural Development, University Town, where Provincial Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Anisazeb Tahirkheli was the chief guest.

Pakistan Muslim League-N held a rally at Chowk Yaadgar where its provincial president Pir Sabir Shah was the chief guest.

PML-Q also held a function which was addressed by provincial president Intikhab Khan Chamkani and others.

Functions were also held at different churches, including All Saints Church, Kohati Gate, where participants offered prayers for the country’s solidarity, and for all those killed during militancy.

LANDI KOTAL: A national flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Pakistan Gate at Torkham border. A spectacular display of fireworks was held at the historic Bab-i-Khyber. An Azadi march was taken out in the recently reopened Bara Bazaar.

A smartly turned-out contingent of Khyber Rifles presented a salute to the national flag amid applause from the crowd.

Sector Commander Brig Wajid Qayyum Paracha, Commandant Khyber Rifles Col Umar Farooq and officials of the political administration were present on the occasion.

A similar event was also organised by Sultan Khel residents at Takia ground in Zakhakhel area of Landi Kotal where local musicians performed till late night.

The day was also celebrated with zeal in Lower and Upper Dir, where different functions were arranged by district administrations, army, civil society organisations and schools and colleges.

The Lower Dir administration arranged a colourful function at Balambat Jirga Hall. DC Irfanullah wazir was the chief guest.

Independence Day functions were also held across Kohat division. Functions were held in Orakzai Agency and frontier region of Kohat amid tight security. The security forces took the local Journalists to Teerah and Maidan areas of Orakzai for coverage of the Independence Day celebrations. Army also organised functions at Bagh and Barqambar Khel areas.

A motorcycle rally led by PTI MPA Ziaullah Bangash was taken out at the Peshawar Chowk, Kohat on Saturday night.

In Darra Adamkhel, a function was held at Ferozi Mela in which assistant political agent Qasim Ali Khan was the chief guest.

In Abbottabad, Independence Day celebrations were also held. National song and speech contests were organised for the schoolchildren. A flag hosting ceremony was held at Abbottabad University of Science and Technology.

In Swabi, rich tributes were paid to founding fathers, national heroes and all those who rendered sacrifices for independence of Pakistan at a function held at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology.

Functions were also held at the government high school, Swabi, and at the mausoleum of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed.

Commandant Colonel Nizamuddin Shah hoisted national flag in Chitral Scouts headquarters and inspected the march past. A function was organised by the district administration at government high school, Chitral. A sports festival was also arranged to mark the day.

The Independence Day was also observed in Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Charsadda, Mansehra, Mardan, Nowshera, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat and Buner. The day was also observed in Bajaur and Kurram Agencies.

Meanwhile, Independence Day was celebrated across Gilgit-Baltistan with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.

In Gilgit, the main ceremony was held at historic Chinar Gardens where Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan and Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman hoisted national flag and laid wreath at the Yadgar-i-Shahuda and offered Fateha.

Functions were held in Diamer, Ghizer, Astore, Hunza and Nagar, and in Baltistan division.

PPP and PTI also organised car rallies in Gilgit city. Government and private offices, shops and homes were decorated with lighting to celebrate the day.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2016