RAWALPINDI, AUG 14 (DNA) – A national flag hoisting ceremony was held here at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) to mark the 74th Independence Day of Pakistan.

Chairman Punjab Board of Investment (BOI) Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Anwar-ul-Haq were the chief guests on the occasion.

RCCI President Saboor Malik, group leader Sohail Altaf, representatives from the trade associations, Senior Vice President Nosherwan Khalil Khan, Vice President Hamza Sarosh, former presidents, members of the executive committee and a large number of traders attended the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman BOI said that the Punjab government and Punjab Investment Board despite the Corona epidemic, fruit and vegetable exports have increased. Economic indicators are turning positive. We will provide all kinds of help and relief for the promotion of business.

The role of Chamber of Commerce Rawalpindi has been significant during lock-down. Referring to Independence Day, he said that freedom is a blessing.

Deputy Commissioner Anwar-ul-Haq said that during the lockdown best coordination was shown by the Rawalpindi Chamber and the Anjuman-e-Tajiran. We will continue to move forward with support, cooperation and consultation. Our elders have made great sacrifices for Independence Day

Saboor Malik said, “It is a day of happiness, a day of bowing down our heads before Almighty Allah in thankfulness and a day of renewing our pledge that we will continue to struggle with unity for the objectives, for which Pakistan was created.

“The RCCI chief urged the business community to adopt modern techniques to meet the challenges of the new era.

“Let us pledge that we, in line with the philosophy of Allama Iqbal and the ideology of the Founder of the Nation, with faith, conviction, unity and discipline, will continue to strive to make Pakistan a strong and prosperous country,” he added.

Later, a cake cutting ceremony was also held. DNA

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DNA

Islamabad, August 14,: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) celebrates Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14, 2020, at its headquarters in Islamabad at a special ceremony organized on the occasion.

Ensuring COVID-19 guidelines, a special flag hoisting ceremony took place at 9:00AM, which was followed by prayers for the prosperity of the nation. Syed Mazhar Hussain, CHRO, PTCL, along with key PTCL officials and employees were present at the occasion to celebrate the Independence Day with full zeal and enthusiasm.

PTCL management and employees, along with CHRO, proceeded for a cake cutting ceremony to mark this auspicious day. All participants ensured proper safety measures and adhered to safety guidelines by wearing masks, using hand sanitizers and keeping adequate social distance for protection.

On the occasion Syed Mazhar Hussain, CHRO, PTCL, said, “We have followed our patriotic tradition to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day with proper safety protocols through the pandemic. PTCL has worked tirelessly to support the people of Pakistan as its frontline workers have been keeping the nation connected during these trying times. For the safety of our employees, we have implemented ‘Work from Home’ policy where required and ensured that all protocols are in place for both field staff and customers. We celebrate this Independence Day with a renewed hope as we move towards a healthier and prosperous future.”

On the eve of Independence Day, PTCL HQ building was decorated with lights and a massive flag covering the tall building.

PTCL also began its journey since the inception of Pakistan and it has always been at the forefront in celebrating all the national events with a passion and fervor. PTCL continues to serve the nation even in times of adversity.

The government of Pakistan issued a list of 184 people on the occasion of its 73rd Independence Day who will be receiving civil awards on March 23, 2021. The list ranges from actors, poets, soldiers and singers to television anchors.

The awards will be presented by President Dr Arif Alvi for their excellence in different fields in a ceremony on Pakistan Day.

Philanthropist and Edhi Foundation head Faisal Edhi will be awarded with the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. Edhi took over the responsibilities of the foundation that helps millions of people across Pakistan after the demise of his father Abdul Sattar Edhi.

The Nishan-i-Imtiaz will be awarded to ace painter Sadequain Naqvi. Other recipients of the award include singer Abida Perveen and late poet Ahmed Faraz.

Actors Bushra Ansari and Talat Hussain have been named for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz award. They have entertained audiences both inside and outside Pakistan for more than two decades. Anchor Naeem Bukhari is also one of the recipients of the award.

President Alvi will also present the Pride of Performance award actors to Humayun Saeed, singer Ali Zafar and religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel. Sakina Samo will also get the same award for her acting skills.

Last year, Mehwish Hayat, Sajjad Ali, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, Babra Sharif, comedian Iftikhar Thakur and journalist Arshad Sharif were among others who received the awards.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 14 – The Pakistan Industrial & Traders Associations Front, like other parts of the country, also celebrated Pakistan’s 73rd Independence Day on 14th of August, 2020 on Friday, holding a flag-hoisting ceremony at PIAF office.

Provincial Livestock Minister Sardar Hasnain Bahadar Dreshak and PIAF Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir hoisted the national flag along with LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, PIAF senior vice chairman Nasir Hameed, vice chairman Javed Siddiqi and the executive committee on this occasion.Provincial Minister for Livestock, addressing the ceremony, appreciated PIAF to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day in a befitting manner to commemorate the sacrifices of forefathers.

He paid tribute to the business community for upholding the values of determination and dedication for the objective of progress and high economic growth of Pakistan.

He also assured the business community of resolving their all issues as the government was working on a comprehensive plan to address their grievances.The minister said the government was concerned at businessmen’s troubles due to hike in cost of doing business.

He said the government is engaged with the business community on all trade-related matters through consultation. He appreciated the PIAF for helping the unprivileged people of society during the difficult time in wake of coronavirus.

He added that the government announced relaxation for the construction industry, which will boost the economy.PIAF chairman Mian Nauman Kabir, on this occasion, welcomed the businessmen to attend the landmark Independence Day event. He hailed the resolve of business community to contribute towards progress and prosperity of the country dynamically, as envisioned by father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.“Let’s work for our country’s growth and development to realize the dream of our founding fathers for a modern and prosperous Pakistan,” he added.

PIAF chairman said that Pakistan has a bright economic future powered by its hard working people and a resilient democracy. We should remember today the sacrifices of our people to safeguard our identity and our way of life, he added.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, – AUG 14 –  “The living nations celebrate their festivals with enthusiasm and fervor. The Arts Council of Pakistan hosts the largest Independence Day celebration every year in which people of every language, color, race, and nationality not only participate but also consider it an honor to be a part of it.”These views were expressed by the President Arts Council Ahmed Shah while addressing the Independence Day Festival held at Karachi Arts Council
He further said that the national song “Zindagi Hai Pakistan” produced by the Arts Council is being highly appreciated and I congratulate the Governing Body of Arts Council on the successful production.

 
On the occasion of the 73rd Independence Day celebrations in the Arts Council of Pakistan, Azadi Mushaira (poetry), Musical Program and Cultural Dances were organized.

 
Azadi Mushaira was presided over by Anwar Shour while famous poets of the country including Fatima Hassan, AH Khanzada, Ajmal Siraj, Aqeel Abbas Jafari, Salman Ahmed, Nasira Zubairi, and others presented their poetry While the Mushaira was moderated by Ambreen Haseeb Amber.

 
In the live concert, Arman Rahim, Shahzeb Ali, Mustafa Baloch, Muhammad Zubair, Kamran Saghu, Imran Ali, Shah Rukh Abbas, Newton Mushtaq, Narodha Malani, Huma Mughal, and other artists also sang the national songs to warm the blood of the audience while the regional dances were performed by the folk artists.

 
The flag was hoisted at 11:59 pm on August 13 at the main ceremony to the echo of the national anthem. Later, the cake was also cut.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 14 : Waziristan is fast becoming a tourism hotspot, as it provides some fascinated places to visit, says a report published by Gwadar Pro on Friday.

Tribal youth from South and North Waziristan are extensively utilising social media platforms to promote the stunning beauty of the erstwhile lawless districts bordering Afghanistan ever since Pakistan Army wiped out militants here.

The report says, this is a success story, as thousands of people have started travelling to Waziristan, including families, from the country’s settled areas, said Zahid Wazir, an analyst from North Waziristan, who has vast exposure to matters related to the tribal region.

Zahid Wazir said that Waziristan had the potential to divert tourism spotlight from Swat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, at least for the people of Sindh province and South Punjab, not to mention foreign tourists at this point of time.

He said that the CPEC Western route will also connect these areas with the rest of the country, which will further boost tourism in Waziristan.

Wazir said that many factors contributed to this unexpected but pleasant development, including better roads network, which made the areas easily accessible.

However, the biggest contributor is the change of mindset and social acceptability for people of non-tribal areas among the tribesmen as they went through untold hardships in camps in settled areas after they were displaced due to military operations in the past, he said.

Saifee Wazir, a professional cameraman struggling to set up a firm to promote tourism in Waziristan, said that there were still issues for people of other areas to freely access these districts.

The government needs to encourage people and grant people NOCs for bringing tourists to Waziristan without any hassle.

These districts could become a new tourism hotspot in the country, he said optimistically. He said that due to the presence of hardcore militants in the area for decades, the Army is still not allowing non-local people to freely visit Waziristan.

Hayat Preghal, a political activist from the area and admin of numerous social media pages on Waziristan, observed that tourism sector could become an industry in these districts if the government developed a few spots and built quality hotels there.

The local people are shy of investing their money in tourism facilities because the uncertainty is still prevailing there, he said.

Hayat Preghal added that Waziristan had two trade corridors with Afghanistan, via Angoor Ada and Ghulam Khan. Also, these districts produce the best of pine nuts, apple, vegetables and precious herbs.

The government has also established an agriculture park on a vast piece of land in Ladha. He expected that Waziristan will become a tourism and trade hub in days to come, which might amaze fellow Pakistan who otherwise only imagined bloodshed in this beautiful terrain.

ISLAMABAD : Congratulating the nation on its 73 years of independence, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that our journey towards a country envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has begun.

Taking to Twitter, he said: “Our journey towards Quaid’s Pakistan has begun: for Rule of Law with all citizens equal before the law; & towards an Islamic Welfare State, premised on compassion.”

Prime Minister Khan congratulated the nation on successfully tackling COVID-19 by protecting the poor through cash support and smart lockdowns and by being able to reduce the overall cases.

“I congratulate the nation at upturn in our economy after 2 yrs of struggle. Current Account & Fiscal deficits are down; construction industry & throu[gh] it job creation taking off bec[ause] of our special incentives; stock market up; exports & revenues up & cement & car sales up.”

“I congratulate nation bec[ause] we are fixing the damaging structure we inherited in our Power sector.

After long negotiations we have signed new agreement with IPPs which will bring down cost of power generation & reduce circular debt. Next reform target is power distribution system.”

The prime minister in a message to brave Kashmiri brethren said that the nation stands united with them in their just struggle for self-determination. “We will provide them with all the support at all levels as they valiantly fight India’s illegal occupation.”