RECORDER REPORT

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

Workers of different political parties, trade unions, civil society, educational institutions, provincial governments departments, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and people from different walk of life, organized flags hoisting ceremonies, functions, seminars and rallies in the provincial capital to mark the Independence Day on Monday.

A motorcycle and motorcade rally was held in main GT from Hashtnagri to Peshawar Saddar. Activists of different political parties held rally in the city. The participants were holding flags, buntings, and decorated their vehicles and motorcycles with different colors. To celebrate the occasion, children also wore national dress, badges, and flags.

Haji Mohammad Afzal Khan (SCCI) hoisted national flag at the chamber offices. 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 high officials 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.

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.

The day dawned with thirty-one gun salutes in the federal capital and twenty-one gun salutes at all the provincial capitals. All the major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been decorated with illuminations, national flags, and portraits of the national leaders, banners and buntings to give a festive look.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Monday hoisted the national flag and observed one-minute silence in civil secretariat, Peshawar to celebrate Independence Day of Pakistan. The ceremony was attended by deputy speaker Dr Mehar Taj Roghani, provincial ministers, IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and higher civil officers. KP CM cut the Independence Day cake and released doves and balloons in the air. Talking to the ceremony, he said that Quaid struggled for the independence of Pakistan but now they have to make the country better. “The aim behind forming Pakistan was to provide justice to people and supremacy of law. PTI is also working hard for it,” he said.