Twin cities gear up for Jashn-e-Azadi

By Khalid Iqbal
August 14, 2024
An independence day rally is seen on a road during the 14th August celebrations in this undated image. — APP/File
An independence day rally is seen on a road during the 14th August celebrations in this undated image. — APP/File

Rawalpindi:The residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will celebrate Independence Day on August 14th with various activities.

A flag hoisting ceremony will take place at the Commissioner’s Office in Rawalpindi. People are purchasing shirts of the national hero Arshad Nadeem, while the district administration will organise sports competitions. Various programmes including national songs, speech competitions, dramas, and a drone show at F-9 Park will be part of the celebrations.

Special programmes will be held at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC), Commissioner’s Office, Civil Defence Office, Rescue 1122 Office, and government schools. Additionally, other departments and organizations such as Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Metropolitan Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR), District Council, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), and Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) will also arrange flag hoisting ceremonies and colourful events.

Commissioner Rawal­pindi, Deputy Commissioner (DC), MNAs and MPAs will participate in the flag hoisting ceremonies. School students will present the national anthem, songs, and speeches, and prizes will be distributed among them.

The police have made security arrangements all around Rawalpindi to ensure safety during the celebrations. They will also deploy officials on rooftops to monitor any suspicious activities. The local administration, along with citizens, are decorating their houses, buildings, shopping centres, bazaars, and main roads with national flags and fancy lights.

Stall holders are selling national flags, buntings, badges, and pictures of national heroes, while government and private buildings are being decorated with lights. Rawalpindi Railway Station is also adorned with lights, balloons, and national flags. Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak stated that they will arrange a colourful flag hoisting ceremony with the participation of elected representatives, officers, and school students. Additionally, they will hold a prize distribution ceremony.