PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that the people of subcontinent offered tremendous sacrifices for creation of Pakistan.

He hoisted national flag at Civil Secretariat in Peshawar in connection with Independence Day celebrations. Like other parts of the country, the day was celebrated with national zeal in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Mr Khattak called upon the younger generation to understand the essence behind the philosophy of the creation of Pakistan. He said that the 70-year history of the country was replete with loot and plunder.

The chief minister said that institutions were politicised and police and revenue departments were obedient servants of the ruling elite. He said that heads of institutions were sycophants of the dishonest rulers.

The participants of the flag hoisting ceremony also prayed for the integrity, solidarity, prosperity and development of the country.

Another event in Peshawar was organised by the district government that was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Mehar Taj Roghani, MNA Dr Imran Khattak, MPAs Shaukat Yousafzai, Mian Khaleequr Rehman, Arbab Jehandad Khan, district nazim Arbab Asim, Chief Secretary Abid Saeed, IGP and local elders besides women and children.

The Sikh community and different women organisations also arranged cake cutting ceremonies to mark the day. The members of Sikh community, holding national flags, also took out a motorcycle rally.

Another function was held at the headquarters of Rescue 1122 services.

At Peshawar High Court, the national flag was hoisted by PHC Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. The sitting as well as former judges, deputy attorney general and provincial law officers, president and members of Peshawar High Court Bar Association and judicial officers attended the function.

Flag hoisting ceremony was also held at Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry wherein its president Haji Mohammad Afzal along with other senior businessmen cut cake and prayed for restoration of peace and development of the country.

Another function was held at residence of PPP provincial president Humayun Khan in Peshawar Cantonment. Similarly, PML-N held a cake cutting ceremony in Gulbahar wherein its provincial president Amir Muqam was chief guest.

Several sports events were also held by PSB Coaching Centre Peshawar, Directorate of Sports, KP Cycling Association and Taekwondo Association in connection with Independence Day.

All Sarhad Transporters Association also held a function and rally to mark the day. Another function was held at Pakistan Academy for Rural Development.

In Swabi, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology held a function to celebrate the day. District administration, leaders of various political parties, Swabi Women University, University of Swabi and other educational institutions also held separate functions on the occasion.

In Lower Dir, All government and private schools, district administration and political parties celebrated Independence Day.

Deputy Commissioner Attaur Rehman hoisted national flag at his office in Timergara while a band of Dir Levies presented salute on the occasion.

In Chakdara, persons with disability from Talash, Timergara and Adenzai wearing green and white dresses held a walk on tricycles.

In Mohmand Agency, a function was held in Ghalanai that was attended by Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir, Lt Col Umair, APA Hamidur Rehman, APA Hameedullah Khattak, APA Naveed Akbar, heads of government departments, tribal elders, teachers, students and a large number of tribal people.

In Buner, the main function was held in Daggar that was attended by Deputy Commissioner Zareeful Maani, DPO Mohammad Irsahd Khan Yousafzai and others.

In Mansehra, various functions and rallies were held to mark the Independence Day. A ceremony was also held at district jail wherein tehsil nazim Khuram Khan Swati was chief gust. Hazara University also held flag hosting ceremony.

In Kohat, the main function of the day was held at the District Council Hall. Kohat Commissioner Musarat Hussain hoisted national flag on the occasion.

The participants of the function observed one minute silence in recognition of the sacrifices rendered for creation of the country.

In Bajaur Agency, the main event was held at Bajaur Levies line in Khar wherein Political Agent Abdul Amir Khattak hoisted the flag. Tribal elders, leaders of various political parties and officials of local administration and Levies Force attended the ceremony.

In Shangla, main function of the day was held at Alpuri Government Centennial Model School that was attended by district nazim Niaz Ahmed Khan, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Kabir Khan and officials of police and line departments.

In Lakki Marwat, different functions were held to mark the day. The flag hoisting ceremony was held at Lt Adnan Shaheed Sports Complex that was attended by MPA Zarin Zia, army officers, district nazim Ishfaq Ahmad Khan Meenakhel, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Bakhtiar Khan and officials of various departments.

The Independence Day functions were also held in Karak, Tank, South Waziristan, Charsadda, Batkhela, Orakzai Agency, Dera Ismail Khan and various cities of Hazara division.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the main function was held at City Park in Gilgit wherein Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and Maj Gen Saqib Mahmmod Malik hoisted national flag.

The ceremony was attended by ministers, members of Giglti-Baltistan Legislative Assembly and officials of different departments. Functions were also held in Diamer, Ghizer, Astore, Hunza and Nagar to celebrate the day.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2017