MULTAN The preparations to celebrate Independence Day, 14th of August, with national fervour are in full swing in Multan as almost all private and public sector buildings have been illuminated till filing of this report. All important chowks, trading centres and markets are being decorated with lights, national flags and buntings by the citizens and traders. Different NGOs and citizens organizations have arranged rallies and seminars on the Independence Day as Pakistan Youth Council intends to bring out a vigil on the night of August 14. The central ceremony of Independence Day will be held at the Commissioners office where Commissioner Khurram Agha will kick off the celebrations by hoisting national flag. Special awards will be conferred on workers of Pakistan Movement, citizens and journalists. Similarly, flag hoisting ceremonies will be performed at Lahore High Court Multan Bench, DCO office, RPO and SSP Operations office, Bahauddin Zakariya University, High Court and District Bar buildings, all colleges and schools as well as different markets of Multan. The sale of national flags, buntings and badges has further picked up as long as the day is getting closer. Massive rush of buyers, especially youth, was witnessed at the stalls of national flags and other independence dayrelated items. Meanwhile, Auto Rickshaw Union brought out a vigil in connection with the Independence Day. The rally started from Chowk Kumharanwala and ended at the same spot after taking a tour of different parts of the city. Similarly, Contractors Association, Deep Organization, Pakistan Children Forum and Shamasabad Girls High School also held separate functions to celebrate the 14th of August in advance.