PESHAWAR: Independence Day was observed with national zeal and fervour across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday as flag hoisting ceremonies, walks, seminars and sports events were held in different districts of the province.

In Peshawar, an event was held at Civil Secretariat in connection with Independence Day celebrations.

Addressing the event, Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur urged people not to lose hope and instead work with sincerity, dedication and a clear purpose to restore the past glory of the country.

Mr Gandapur also called on the political leaders and government officials to serve people with dedication. He underscored the importance of unity and patriotism, said a statement.

“The essence of Pakistan’s national anthem is a call for unity and collective struggle, which is vital for any nation’s greatness and progress. We are here because of the people’s vote and we must ensure that the taxpayer money is spent judiciously and transparently for their wellbeing,” he added.

Flag hoisting ceremonies, walks and rallies held in different districts

Extending heartfelt congratulations to countrymen, he offered special felicitations to the incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, acknowledging his sacrifices for the country. He said that Independence Day was a moment to recommit to the vision of Pakistan as dreamt by Allama Iqbal, urging the nation to move forward with determination.

Mr Gandapur said that August 14 was a day to honour the sacrifices of those, who fought for the country’s independence, and to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to the country’s progress and prosperity.

Earlier, he visited the Martyrs’ Memorial at the civil secretariat and laid flowers on it and offered prayers for the departed souls. He also hoisted the national flag, cut an Independence Day cake and reviewed a guard of honour presented by a contingent of police.

Mr Gandapur planted a sapling on the secretariat’s lawn and urged people to plant at least one tree on Independence Day. The event was attended by provincial ministers Pakhtoon Yar Khan, Muzzammil Aslam, Malik Liaquat Ali Khan, the deputy speaker of provincial assembly, Suraya Bibi, the chief secretary, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, KP police chief Akhtar Hayat Khan, additional chief secretaries, administrative secretaries, other government officials, schoolchildren and members of civil society.

Meanwhile, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at Governor’s House which was also attended by the counsels general of the US, Afghanistan and Iran.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on the occasion that independence was an outcome of the great sacrifices and a purposeful struggle of their forefathers.

“As a nation, we pledge to build country according to the dreams of the founders of Pakistan. We have to make our name and place in the world as Pakistanis, regardless of colour, caste and sects,” he said.

Mr Kundi said that the country was facing various challenges, which would be faced as a nation, collectively. “We have to give our future generations a prosperous, sustainable, peaceful and stable Pakistan,” he added.

Also, deputy commission led an Independence Day rally in the provincial capital. The rally started from Khyber road, passed through University road and ended back at Khyber road. The rally was attended by revenue and other officials.

“People of Peshawar have always made immense sacrifices for Pakistan. They are still playing their role in the development of the country with the same spirit,” an official statement quoted Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram as saying. The deputy commissioner also visited central prison, met the inmates and held a cake cutting ceremony.

An Independence Day event was also held at Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar in Dr Hafizullah Hall.

KMU director academics Dr Zille Huma, faculty, staff and students participated in the event. Dr Zille Huma emphasised the importance of such celebrations in fostering a sense of unity and patriotism among students and staff.

Also, at University of Peshawar, the day was celebrated with national enthusiasm and grandeur. UoP Vice-chancellor Prof Jehan Bakht, deans Prof Iftikhar Hussain Khalil and Prof Dr Khalid Nawab, heads of departments, faculty members, administrative officers and other employees participated in it.

Prof Jehan Bakht said there was a need for national unity and all should work day and night for national development and prosperity. He urged teachers to pay attention to quality education and research as well as training of students.

Adviser to Chief Minister Zahid Chanzeb said that everyone should plant a sapling in the ongoing tree plantation drive to make the homeland green and prosperous.

“The development of Pakistan depends on promotion of tourism industry. We are taking tangible steps to make the tourism a vibrant sector,” he told a ceremony at the offices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA).

The ceremony was held in connection with the Independence Day of the country.

The director general of KPCTA, Tashfeen Haider, director admin and finance Mohammad Ali, general manager tourism Sajjad Hameed, manager events Haseena Shaukat and other officials also attended the event.

In Swat, a peace march was organised by the residents of Charbagh on the occasion of Independence Day with a large number of participants.

Led by civil society members and elders including Naveed Khan, Sawab Khan, and Adalat Khan, many people from Charbagh took part in the walk. They were carrying white flags inscribed with peace slogans.

Meanwhile, Malakand Commissioner Saqib Raza Aslam and Swat Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Mehboob along with other government officials hoisted national flag at district headquarters.

The regional police officer, Mohammad Ali Khan, hoisted the flag at DIG office. A ceremony was also organised in Wadudia Hall. Celebrations were also held in public and private schools.

In Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, the day was also celebrated with national zeal and fervour. The main flag hoisting ceremony was held at DC office. Deputy Commissioner Tanvir Ahmad hoisted the national flag along with the district police officer, Aslam Nawaz.

In Lower and Upper Dir, different functions were arranged in government and private educational institutions, offices and universities to mark the day.

The main function was held at the district assembly hall in Balambat with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Arif Khan in the chair. Officials and district heads of different departments, teachers, students and local elders attended the function.

In Lakki Marwat and Bannu, the day was celebrated with pomp and show. Bannu Commissioner Abid Wazir hoisted national flag and cut a cake. He also planted a sapling and urged participants to play an active role to make the country clean, green and prosperous.

The education department with support of Boy Scouts Association held a function at Government Shaheed Mohammad Ghassan Khan Centennial Model High School No.1 to mark the day.

In Swabi, a colourful function was held in Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology. Rector Prof Fazal Ahmad Khalid was chief guest on the occasion.

In Haripur, different government departments and civil society organisations held events to mark the day.

Flag hoisting ceremonies were held in the offices of deputy commissioner, tehsil municipal administrations of Haripur, Khanpur and Ghazi, district bar association and different educational institutions of the district.

In Mansehra, rallies and seminars were held to celebrate Independence Day.

Speaking at a ceremony at police lines, Deputy Commissioner Adnan Khan Bittani and DPO Shafiullah Khan Gandapur paid rich tributes to people, who rendered sacrifices for the motherland.

Torghar district administration in collaboration with Sungi Development Foundation and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund organised a seminar to mark the day.

In Upper and Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas, rallies were held to mark the day.

In Upper and Lower Chitral, public meetings, rallies and sports events were held to mark the day.

Functions were held in all the private and public sector schools to highlight the importance of the day while polo matches were held in Chitral, Booni and Reshun.

The day was also observed in Battagram, Mohmand, Bajaur, Kohat and South Waziristan districts.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2024