Different mining and power companies and development sector organizations working in Thar Block II at Taulka Islamkot of district Tharparkar on Monday celebrated 71st Independence Day with traditional zeal and fervor and reiterated the commitment to bring Pakistan out of darkness. Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, Sindh Engro Powergen Thar Limited and Thar Foundation celebrated Independence Day in different ceremonies held in the area.
The main ceremony was held at the mining office to mark the Independence Day in Block II of Thar Coal Fields where national flag was hoisted by the officials of different companies, Chinese counterparts, villagers, students and personnel of the armed forces and police. The message of President of Pakistan and Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa was read out to the people gathered to celebrate the day.
Brigadier Tarique Qadir Lakhiar (retd) read out the message of President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain in which he has extended words of felicitations to the nation. The participants included the SECMC, EPTL, and TF team members, Chinese nationals working on power projects in Thar, troops of Pak Army and Sindh Police, and students. A large number of villagers from the nearby communities also participated to witness the glorious flag hoisting ceremony.
Separate events were also held at the Thar Foundation-founded primary schools in the villages Bitra, Man Singh Bheel, and Thariyo Halepoto falling in the Block II of the coal field, which is the operational area of the SECMC. Earlier, a rally was also held which ended at the Ansari Green Park.
Speaking on the occasion, SECMC Chief Shamsuddin Shaikh said, "On this day, the country is progressing on the path of the law and the constitution." Shaikh said that every member of his team is part of a great cause, ie lightening up the country's future with the Thar Coal.