Punjab government has started preparation to celebrate Independence Day on August 14 in a befitting manner. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has formed a steering committee headed by Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed which will submit its report within seven days to the chief minister.
On Independence Day, competitions of speeches and essays, sports and seminars would be conducted at union councils, tehsils, district and provincial level to highlight the importance of the day.
Functions of recitation of national anthem, national flag hoisting, competitions of paintings and national songs, poetry will be held in different cities throughout the province wherein the heroes of Pakistan movement would be paid rich tributes. Every district would prepare its own float reflecting various colours of culture, history and love for the heroes of independence movement. Moreover, commendatory certificates would also be given at district level to the people shining in different fields of life. Various departments of Punjab government would also sensitise the message about different development schemes and people friendly steps and policies of the present government.
This was informed by Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan in a meeting held in connection with the preparation for Independence Day celebrations on Friday. The meeting was attended by Punjab Higher Education Minister Zakia Shahnawaz, Parliamentary Secretary Information Rana Muhammad Arshad, information, sports and archive secretaries among others.
Rana Mashhood said that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif desires to celebrate forthcoming Independence Day with zeal and fervor. He further said that August 14 is the day of paying homage to leaders and workers of Pakistan movement who had laid down their lives for the freedom as well as to renew the pledge that Pakistan will be transformed in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam.
He said that the living nations celebrate their national days in a befitting manners and participation of all segments of society especially youth will be ensured in the celebrations. He said that all provincial departments would also chalk out special programmes on this occasion to express their love for the country. He said that Archives Department will also arrange exhibition of rare pictures and items with regard to the Pakistan movement. He said that special functions will be arranged at public libraries to encourage book reading. He said that floats to be prepared at district and divisional level will be completed for exhibition till August 4. He said that national flag will be hoisted at union council level while large electric flexes will be displayed at union council level which will highlight development activities.
Rana Mashhood directed that Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) workers should actively participate in Independence Day celebrations. Provincial Minister Zakia Shahnawaz said that women workers of Pakistan movement such as Fatima Jinnah, Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan, Shahista Ikram Ullah and Begum Shahnawaz will be paid tributes on Independence Day. The meeting was also attended by Rana Arshad, Shoaib Bin Aziz, Secretary Information Raja Jehangir Anwar and Additional Secretary Information Shahid Iqbal who presented various proposals for celebrating Independence Day.