FAISALABAD/BAHAWALPUR/ATTOCK/
DERA GHAZI KHAN/LODHRAN
The administrations here have issued schedule for the programmes to be held to celebrate Independence Day with national enthusiasm here today (Thursday).
The day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for prosperity of the country and Quran Khawani will also be held for the martyrs of Pakistan Movement and Pak Army. The main ceremony will be attended by members of parliaments, officers of divisional and district administration and other departments, workers of Pakistan Movement and citizens belonging to different walks of life.
The District Administration spokesman said that siren would blow at 8.58 and one minute silence would be observed at this time. Afterward the national flag would be hoisted and national anthem would be played by the participants. The contingents of police, civil defence and Rescue 1122 would present salute and march past with police and jail bands.
The students and girls guides would present national songs and speeches would also be delivered by the MPAs/MNAs, Commissioner, DCO and other speakers. Sweet will also be distributed among the participants.
Meanwhile, similar functions of flag hosting would be arranged at other districts and tehsil headquarters of Faisalabad Division.
Moreover, all the cities of Faisalabad Division have been decorated with national flag, buntings and other ornamental items to celebrate the Independence Day with enthusiasm and zeal.
The beautiful and colourful lighting has already arranged on the public and private buildings besides displaying the portraits of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in the large size.
The district administration had chalked out various programme which would be held on 14th August including distribution of sweets in the hospitals, jail, SOS village, Darul Aman, competition of national songs, stage play, students rallies, sports events, quiz programmes, seminars, books exhibitions, declamation contest, essay writing and other events.
In Bahawalpur, all arrangements have been made to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan in a befitting way with the renewed pledge to make country strong, stable, progressive and prosperous with unity.
The day will dawn with special prayers in the city mosques after Fajr Prayers for national solidarity, progress, prosperity, peace and well being of the Muslim Ummah side by side the early solution of Palestine, occupied Jammu & Kashmir disputes.
The city has been given a new look for the occasion while national flag hoisting ceremonies will be held at different places including, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Police Lines, Bahawalpur Garrison, LHC, Bahawalpur Bench, Radio Pakistan, Bahawalpur, Central Library and Bahawalpur Museum to mark the day followed by presentation of national anthem.
The school children will present patriotic songs and tableau during the day long celebrations while various organisations will hold different programmes significant to the occasion.
IUB Vice-Chancellor Dr Saleem Tariq Khan presided over the seminar while the State Minister for Education and Interior Affairs, Mian Baleeghur Rehman was the chief guest.
Baleeghur Rehman in his address said that the government was heading towards success to make country strong and stable at all fronts and had achieved many landmarks during last one year which would produce productive results in the coming days.
He advised the young generation and general public to avoid involving themselves in dirty politics and not to rely on false propaganda. He added that the people who were criticising the PML-N leadership and government would soon be exposed and could never succeed in their nefarious designs to destabilise the country and the government.
Meanwhile, a seminar was held in connection with the Independence Day. IUB Pakistan Studies Department organised the seminar under the topic of “The role of youth in the Pakistan Movement and national stability/development”.
The VC said that it was the prime duty of everyone especially youth to do a lot development and integrity of the country. He said that being Muslim we should follow teachings of Islam and Sunnah (PBUH) and earn knowledge to prove true followers and faithful of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
He said that Dr Allama Iqbal and Founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah along with other Pakistan Movement leaders succeeded to achieve the goal of getting Pakistan on the basis of education and knowledge which gave them chance to select right direction for success.
He advised the students not to become tools in any one’s hand and remain firm for their cause to compete in every field confidently with their knowledge and potential.
Addressing the student, Nazariya-e-Pakistan Foundation Multan Chairman Dr Hameed Raza Siddiqui said that under the guidance of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the youth struggled for Muslims land and slide victory in the 1946 elections during Pakistan Movement.
He said that the father of the nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited educational institutes of the sub-continent during those days and motivated the Muslim youth to join Pakistan Movement while the formation of Muslim Students Federation gave new dimensions to the Pakistan Movement.
The creation of Pakistan was in fact a miracle and outcome of hard struggle as around 1 million people sacrificed their lives and around 10 million migrated for the piece of homeland, he added.
Addressing a function at Fatima Jinnah Hall, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad said that the PML-N government is celebrating month-long independence day celebrations to promote the message of unity among the nation.
The function was organised by a local weekly newspaper. He said that the forefathers made great sacrifices to achieve Pakistan and the nation would not forget them.
He said that Pakistan Army rendered invaluable services for safeguarding the internal and external boundaries of the country and the nation was presenting salute to them. He paid rich tribute to martyrs of Pak army and police.