Greens gearing up for the big day!

The preparations for Independence Day celebrations in the provincial capital are in full swing with only one day left before August 14.
August 14 marks the partition of Pakistan and India into two separate states and the formation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in accordance with the UK parliament’s 1947 Indian Independence Act.
Business activities related to the Independence Day celebrations have picked up pace in major markets including the Urdu Bazaar, Anarkali, Barkat Market, Liberty Market and Hall Road.
Items associated with the Independence Day are in great demand and printing presses have been working around the clock to produce large quantities of highly demanded items including flag-stickers and pro-Pakistan booklets.
Shops and kiosks and printing press across the renowned Urdu Bazaar remain open, even on Sundays, ahead of the joyous occasion.
On the 14th, flag hoisting ceremonies, fireworks and illuminated public and private buildings throughout Lahore will aesthetically light up the city and the mood of its inhabitants alike.
Markets have already remained in day and night business due to the recently concluded Eid-ul-Fitr festivities. A number of makeshift stalls vending national flags, buntings, stickers and badges across the city have boosted the Lahori festive spirit.
The national holiday is expected to relay scores of people to public parks and recreational areas including the Jilani Park, the Zoo, Bagh-e-Jinnah and the Shalimar Gardens. Small-scale food vendors expect the holiday to bring a temporary yet much needed income boost.
A flavoured drink vendor, Shafiq, said “I usually set my stall outside the Jilani Park on such days as the additional influx of visitors brings me small profit gains”.
However, on the other side the customers remain dissatisfied with such vendors accusing them of charging exponentially high prices on similar national holidays.
A father of four, Waseem, said “My visit to the Bagh-e-Jinnah with my family on Eid was an unpleasant one as food vendors charged me a price almost twice of that in the open market for packets of chips and beverages,” adding that he expected the same attitude from such vendors on the Independence Day.

PUNJAB SPORTS BOARD INDEPENDENCE DAY EXHIBITION:
The Punjab Sports Board is going to celebrate the Independence Day by conducting sports events at various venues in Lahore.
Punjab General Sports Director Dr Mohammed Saleh Tahir directed the authorities concerned to hold sports competitions including those in hockey, swimming, badminton and kabaddi.
The National Hockey Stadium will hold an exhibition hockey match on August 13 at 11AM. Tahir will be the event’s chief guest. Moreover, the Model Town Club will hold a swimming competition at 5PM the same day. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan will be the chief guest of the swimming event.
Badminton and Kabaddi will both be held on August 14. The competitions will be held at the Iqbal Park Sports Complex and the Punjab Stadium at 10AM and 5PM, respectively.

Numerous other events across the city organised by the provincial government and private sources alike are expected to further enhance the celebrations and provide a much needed getaway for the load shedding, inflation and tax-ridden Lahoris.

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS: The traffic police have deployed 2,490 wardens, 101 inspectors and 11 Police Deputy Superintendent (DSP)’s under the supervision of Divisional SP’s to avoid traffic chaos at the hands of noisy bikes on the 14th.
The district administration has imposed a ban under Section 144 on pressure horns, one-wheeling and on motorbikes without silencers and number plates across Lahore on August 14.
The decision was taken in a meeting between District Coordination Officer (DCO) Nasim Sadiq, law enforcement agencies and district government officials.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Capt (retd) Sohail Chahudry issued instructions to circle the authorities concerned to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on the Independence Day.
According to the CTO’s office, emergency squads will also perform their duties at different locations under the supervision of inspectors and DSP’s to deal with one-wheeling bikers.
Additionally, information about the traffic situation will be available via the Traffic FM Radio and the traffic helpline 042-1915.
The CTO urged the public to cooperate with the traffic police in regulating traffic for their own convenience and to avoid any untoward incidents.