GUJRANWALA City News

Ceremonies mark I-Day in Gujranwala
From Our Correspondent
GUJRANWALA: Like other parts of the country, the 69th Independence Day was celebrated with national zeal and fervour in Gujranwala on Friday.
Ceremonies were held in various parts of the city under the auspices of administration, various organizations and political parties.
Federal Trade Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan visited the DHQ hospital and distributed sweets among the patients and children.
The main ceremony of the Independence Day was held at Commissioner Office Gujranwala where Commissioner Shamail Ahmed Khawaja hoisted the national flag.
MNA Mehmood Bashir Vir, MPAs Toufiq Ahmed Butt, Chaudhry Iqbal Gujjar, Pir Ghulam Farid and other dignities also attended the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Commissioner Gujranwala Division Shamail Ahmed Khawaja said Pakistan is the result of great historic struggle and sacrifices of millions of Muslims.
He said the I-Day demanded renewal of the commitment to join hands and sacrifice lives for the protection of the country.
Another I-Day ceremony was also held at office of State Minister Usman Ibrahim where ex-Nazim Aslam Ibrahim, Lala Usmat Ullah and others were also present.
A rally was held by the Sunni Tehreek led by Maulana Muhammad Daud Rizvi while district president Qari Muhammad Boota, city president Iftikhar Ahmed Chishti and others also attended it.
Meanwhile, a ceremony was held at Post Graduate College for girls Satellite Town Gujranwala in which Deputy Director Colleges Mrs Naseem Tariq presided over the flag hoisting ceremony, vice principal Mrs Zarina Haqq, Mrs Khalida Gulzar and other staff participated.
A function at police lines was also held where Regional Police Officer Faisal Shahkar hoisted the national flag.
Ceremonies at Gepco office, Education Board Office, Chamber of Commerce Hall and other government and private places were also held where speakers paid rich tributes to all leaders of the Pakistan Movement and renewed the pledge that they would not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for protection of the country.
All major public and private buildings, roads and avenues were illuminated and decorated with national flags, portraits of the national leaders.
Special prayers were offered for the restoration of peace, progress and prosperity of the country.