Multan: The central Independence Day ceremony of South Punjab was held at the South Punjab Secretariat, Multan, with Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab Fawad Hashim Rabbani as the chief guest.
Representatives of the minority community, Special Secretaries, senior government officers, NAB officials, employees, members of civil society and students participated in the ceremony in large numbers.
The ceremony formally commenced with the sounding of a siren, observance of one-minute silence and a dignified flag-hoisting ceremony. Additional Chief Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani, along with representatives of the minority community and other guests, hoisted the national flag.
Smartly turned-out contingents of Punjab Police, Rescue 1122 and Boy Scouts presented a salute to the national flag. A special cake was also cut to mark Independence Day. Another cake-cutting ceremony was held in connection with the National Week celebrations for the minority community on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Students from various government schools presented national songs, adding colour and patriotic spirit to the ceremony. As part of the ‘Green Pakistan’ campaign, a special tree plantation activity was also carried out at the South Punjab Secretariat premises.
Representatives of the minority community presented a special souvenir to Additional Chief Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani.
Addressing the ceremony, Fawad Hashim Rabbani said that Pakistan’s Independence Day was a day of joy, pride, gratitude and renewal of the national commitment to the country’s progress and prosperity.
He said that, in accordance with the vision expressed by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 11, 1947, minorities in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights and complete freedom.
‘The future of Pakistan lies in the hands of its youth,’ he said, urging young people to dedicate their abilities and talents to the development and progress of the country.
The Additional Chief Secretary termed the joint defence agreement between Pakistan, Trkiye and Saudi Arabia in Makkah a historic achievement, saying that under the agreement, an attack on one member country would be considered aggression against all three countries.
He said the Makkah agreement would have far-reaching implications through mutual cooperation in defence coordination, intelligence sharing and security protection.
Fawad Hashim Rabbani said the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal General Asim Munir were a milestone in strengthening the country’s defence and safeguarding national interests.
He said provision of effective, transparent and timely public services was the foremost priority of the South Punjab Secretariat.
He stressed that eliminating the menace of corruption from society and playing a determined role against social evils was an urgent need of the time.
He further said that the contribution of all stakeholders to Pakistan’s journey from independence towards development and prosperity was highly commendable.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed pledge to uphold national unity, strengthen Pakistan and contribute to its progress and prosperity.
