Functions arranged in Peshawar to celebrate I-Day with patriotic fervour

PESHAWAR: The residents of the provincial capital on Monday celebrated the Independence Day with great pomp and show to demonstrate their love for the homeland.

The people from all walks of life, particularly the youngsters riding motorcycles were seen holding the national flags on the Mall Road, Khyber Road, Saddar Road, Sunehri Masjid Road and others roads in the city.

A large number of people thronged the Amn Chowk and took selfies near the models of horses. The young boys and girls wore green and white masks and blew bugles.

The children tagged along with their parents to enjoy an atmosphere of joy and happiness. The kids had their faces painted green and white.

To the discomfort of the people enjoying the festivities, some motorcyclists and motorists indulged in reckless driving. They endangered their lives and that of other road users. Many motorcyclists had removed silencers that irked the people.  The members of the minority groups donned attire matching the colours of the national flag to mark the Independence Day.

The Sikh community mostly young men danced joyfully to the drumbeat near Jinnah Park to express their feelings.

The Pakistan Study Centre at the University of Peshawar (UoP) celebrated Independence Day with fervor. Professor Dr Fakhrul Islam, Director of the centre, said the 14 August was working day for all employees of the centre.

The students and faculty members participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony held at the Convocation Hall.

UoP Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Asif Khan was the chief guest. Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Abid, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty, administrative staff and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

A smartly turned out contingent of the University Police presented march-past.

The Rescue 1122 Emergency Service arranged a function at its headquarters on the Sher Shah Suri Road. Service Director General Dr Khateer Ahmad was the chief guest. The national flag was hoisted on the occasion.

The chief guest in his address said that Pakistan came into being as a result of great sacrifices. He said functions being arranged were meant for reliving those sacrifices. The Rescue 1122 head also awarded the excelling workers.  

The Independence Day was also celebrated at the Pakistan Academy for Rural Development. Director General of the academy Nighat Mehroz was the chief guest on the occasion.

The students and staff members wearing white and green dresses attended the function held at the academy’s main auditorium.

Earlier, Nighat Mehroz hoisted the national flag. The students and parents sang the national anthem.

Capital City Police Officer Mohammad Tahir said that special security arrangements were made for peaceful observance of the Independence Day.

Addressing the Independence Day cake-cutting ceremony of the Crimes and Terrorism Journalists Forum, Mohammad Tahir appreciated the joint ceremony by the police and media men to mark August 14.

The CCPO said that he himself observed the security arrangement for August 14 and directed the cops not to bother the people in the name of security.

Colourful events were arranged at different educational institutions in the provincial capital to mark the day. 

Big functions were organised at the University of Peshawar, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University for Women and Islamia College University. 

At the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University for Women a colourful function was arranged to mark the Independence Day. Member Provincial Assembly Mehmood Jan was the chief guest on the occasion.

Vice-Chancellor of the university Dr Razia Sultana hoisted the national flag and cut cake to celebrate the 70th Independence Day. At Islamia College University, the Independence Day function was attended by officers, faculty and students.

A function was also held at the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry to mark the Independence Day. Fitrat Ilyas Bilour along with other women cut the cake to celebrate the Independence Day. The other members Fauzia Inayat, Brekhna Liaqat, Rukhsana Naz, Nasreen Aftab, Afsheen Malik, Abida Tabassum, Farrukh Naz and others were present.

The Culture Department arranged a trilingual mushaira or poetry recital session. It was in Urdu, Pashto and Hindko languages. The poets expressed love for motherland through poetic verses.