Independence Day celebrated in twin cities amid tight security

Rawalpindi

In tight security arrangements, the residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad celebrated 70th Independence Day with traditional zeal and fervour on Sunday.

A heavy contingent of police officials everywhere has strictly restricted two wheelers for wheeling while some of violators were in custody of law enforcement agencies till the filing of this report.  

The day dawned with 31 gun salutes in the federal capital and 21 gun salutes in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered after Fajr prayers for the prosperity and integrity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah and the success of the long drawn struggle of the Kashmiris in this regard.

A colourful ‘flag hoisting ceremony’ was also held at the Rawalpindi Commissioner Office where a large number of school children participated. Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehmood was the guest of honour on the occasion. The PML-N leaders also participated in the flag hoisting ceremony. The Commissioner Rawalpindi Division distributed awards among students.

Similarly, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) and Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) also arranged colourful programmes and ‘Husn-e-Qirat’ programme. Government and private schools and Faizul Islam School also arranged programmes regarding Independence Day.

Pakistan Horticultural Authority (PHA) under the chairmanship of PML-N (MNA) Malik Ibrar also arranged colourful programmes to entertain public on the occasion.

Islamabad management also arranged different programmes regarding Independence Day where students presented national songs, dramas, tableaus and speech contests. 

Mobile phone service remained suspended in different areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as part of the security measures taken on the eve of Independence Day celebrations.

On the other hand, streets, roads and residential localities decorated with banners and national flags. Special stalls were set up in the city markets and bazaars for the sale of national flags, green caps and buntings.

People were expressing great enthusiasm for the Independence Day. Children were taking keen interest in purchase of national flags, badges, stickers and other related items. National flag was being seen flattering on vehicles and bikes.

Strict security measures were observed by the law enforcing agencies to avoid any untoward incident. The Rawalpindi and Islamabad police deployed heavy contingents of police at sensitive points. Mobile Reserve police also remained alert while contingents of Rangers and FC patrolled the city roads the whole day. Anti-Terror Squad, Bomb Disposal Squad and Quick Response Force Unit were also on high alert on the occasion.

The roads, streets, bazaars, plazas, shopping malls, schools, colleges, universities, government and semi-government buildings were decorated with colourful lights, buntings, national flags in areas of Saddar, Kutchery, GT Road, Civil Lines, Airport Road, Jhanda Cheechi, Murree Road, Commercial Market, Peshawar Road, Pirwadhai, Misrial Road, Chuhr Chopal, Adaila Road, Chungi Number 22, Tench Bhatta, Dhoke Syedan, Shakrial, Double Road and Faizabad. Same was the situation in Islamabad. National flags could be seen hoisted on the cars, motorcycles, trucks, wagons while the huge-sized flags could also be seen fluttering atop the government and private buildings, houses, markets and shops. Children decorated their cycles and the elders their motorcycles with flags and stickers. The children and young boys and girls painted their faces making national flag.