Independence Day celebrated with national zeal and fervour

The 70th Independence Day of the country was celebrated with national zeal and fervour on Sunday. The day began with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country.
The main event of the day was the flag hoisting ceremony at Mazar-i-Quaid. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with his cabinet members, senior bureaucrats, including chief secretary Siddique Memon, IGP Sindh A.D. Khwaja and others attended the ceremony.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad was also present on the occasion. The Governor and the Chief Minister laid wreath on the Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum and paid rich tributes to him.
They offered Fateha and recorded their views on the struggle of the great leader in the visitors' book.
Mobile phone services remained suspended from morning to till 12 noon. The step was taken by the authorities due to security concerns.
The patriotic citizens - majority of them youth thronged M.A Jinnah Raod, recreational places, parks and Sea View area to mark the Independence Day with zest and fervour. Children, young boys and girls painted their faces with Pakistan flag colours, and were chanting national songs and slogans to mark the Independence Day on the city roads. Traffic remained jammed amid mismanagement by the city administration and traffic police as there had been no plan to regulate the vehicular movement, causing gridlock on many roads. In the jammed traffic, youth were flying national flags with green flag bands on foreheads and dancing to amuse the miserable commuters.
A number of roadside stalls of flags, badges, face paintings; stickers and gorgeous items were set-up. Public places became source of attraction for the people.
The major public and private buildings, roads and avenues were decorated with illuminations, national flags, posters, and banners for the Independence Day festivities.
The national Flag hoisting ceremony was also held at Sui Southern Gas Company's (SSGC) head office. The company's Acting Managing Director, Amin Rajput along with members of senior management, officers and staff were present on this occasion.
An older citizen at MA Jinnah Road told Business Recorder, "I am very happy to see that a huge number of people have come out of their homes to mark the Independence Day after many years. This is all because of the law enforcement personnel who have restored the city's peace."
He went on saying, "LEAs have boosted the public confidence and people are now satisfied with the improved law and order and now they are motivated to celebrate this National day with enthusiasm."