Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), (Parliament Times) : Like rest of Azad Jammu Kashmir, the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan and victory of ‘Maarka e Haq’ were also celebrated in lake district of Mirpur on Thursday with traditional national zeal and fervor with the renewal of the pledge by Kashmiris to continue the ongoing struggle for the birth right of self determination to reach the ultimate destination of freedom from Indian unlawful occupation and accession of entire Jammu & Kashmir state to Pakistan.
Major national flag hoisting colorful ceremony to mark the day was held simultaneously with the nation-wide national flag hoisting program – under the joint auspices of the City Municipal Corporation at the lush green lawn where AJK energy ministers Ch. Arshad Hussain and Commissioner Mirpur Division Ch. Mukhtar Hussain hoisted the national flags of Pakistan and AJK marking the celebrations of the 78th founding anniversary of Pakistan.
Besides, Deputy Commissioner Yasir Riaz Chaudhry, City Mayor Usman Khalid Ch, leader of opposition in the city Municapal corporation Ch. Razaq, DIG Police Mirpur Range Dr. Liaqat Hussain, SSP Mirpur Khurram Iqbal, elected representatives various personalities representing all segments of the civil society, other local senior officers and large number of city elite attended the ceremony.
A well uniformed contingent of AJK Police presented guard of honor besides saluting the national flag at the ceremony. Besides participants of the ceremony an orchestra sang the national anthems and songs of Pakistan and AJK to express their fullest love and solidarity with Pakistan from the core of their heart.
Identical national flag hoisting ceremonies were hosted in various other parts of the district, to mark the Independence Day of Pakistan and triumph of May 2025 ‘Maarka e Haq’ defeating Indian unprovoked aggression, by brave armed forces of Pakistan, celebrations where the chief guests unfurled the national flags of Pakistan and AJK on these occasions. Well-uniformed police contingent and boy scouts presented salute to the national flag besides presenting march past on this occasion.
The ceremonies were attended among others by the officials of the state Government besides notables from various walks of life.
The series of day long national flag hoisting ceremonies were followed by a grand boat rally held at the fully climaxed Mangla Dam reservoir to mark the Pakistan Independence Day celebrations.
Besides the city notables, officials of the local administration, society led the boat rally which floated hoisting the national flags of Pakistan and AJK to mark the auspices day.
The national flags of Pakistan and AJK also hoisted on various private and public buildings. A great enthusiasm was witnessed among the people including children who found hectically busy in purchasing the national flags of Pakistan from bazaars for hoisting atop their houses and vehicles on the national day.
Besides the AJK government, various social, political, private and public representative organizations held special meetings to celebrate Jashan-e-Azadi – e -Pakistan with great enthusiasm and devotion.
Another national flag hoisting ceremony was held at main Mirpur Campus of International Islamic University Islamabad IIUI Schhols local campus to mark the Independence Day of Pakistan celebrations.
Senior Kashmiri Journalist, writer and analyst A H Nizami was the Chief guest on this occasion who hoisted the national flags of Pakistan and AJK atop the School’s building.
A grand tree~plantation ceremony to mark the grand national day was held wherein a large number of local dignitaries planted the sapplings under the spirit of Neat and clean and green Azad Jammu Kashmir.