KHAIRPUR: 70th Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated across eight talukas of district Khairpur. The main event was held at Government Naz Pilot Secondary School Khairpur. The Chairman District Council Khairpur Shaharyar Khan Wasan, Deputy Commissioner Nawaz Sohu, SSP Ghulam Azafar Mahesar, Justice (retd) Ali Aslam Jafery hoisted national flag. Highlighting history of creation country the speakers paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam and his followers. They said freedom from India was result of long struggle by the national leaders. Our country is gift of Almighty Allah, they added. Deputy Commissioner urged forming a debating and systematic society for promotion of education and economic development. He announced Rs 100,000 for students whose participated in programme and Rs 50,000 for teachers. Chairman Municipal Committed Khairpur Syed Amjad announced Rs 50,000 for children on the occasion. Around 20 school teams participated in the event and presented tableau and national songs. On the occasion trophies and award were also distributed among students besides sweets. Chairman District Council Shaharyar Wasan, SSP Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, Usman Khalid, Sayed Muhammad Abbas and participants planted saplings in Sabz Zar Lawn of Naz High School. Meanwhile events to celebrate Independence Day in Pir Jo Goth, Khairpur, Kotdiji, Gambat, Nara, Sobhodero, Tharimirwah and Faiz Gunj were also held. Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur also held programme on the occasion. Prof Dr Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Pro-Vice Chancellor, main Campus hoisted national flag. The participants prayed for peace, prosperity and development of the country. Dr Noor said Pakistan came into existence as a result of long struggle by leaders of freedom movement. Sweets were distributed among the participants. Prof Dr Imdad Hussain Sahito, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Dr Taj Mohammad Lashari, Chairman, Department of Media Studies, Prof Dr Fayaz Raza Chandio, Barkatullah Qureshi, Director Planning and Development, Imdad Ali Sial, Project Director (Works), Mureed Hussain Ibopoto, Additional Controller of Examinations, Ghulam Shabbir Phulpoto, Inspector of Colleges, Ms Ghazala Qureshi, Principal, Model School, Mushtaque Ali Khaskheli, Imran Ali Soomro, Sahib Khan Shaikh, Haji Faiz Mohammad Phulpoto and members of Employees Association attended the function. Dr Ibrahim Kaeerio, Principal Khairpur College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and members hoisted national flag. Principal said that Pakistan came into being after sacrifices rendered by Muslims of subcontinent under leadership of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Muslim of subcontinent got independence from British imperial power and separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent. We should follow ethos of Jinnah’s philosophy in serving our country without any creed, colour and race and keep unity in our ranks. He emphasised students to follow suit of Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and other personalities who struggled for independence. Dr Irshad Marri on the occasion said contemporary political situation of India has revealed that Jinnah’s demand for separate homeland based on reality and today Kashmiri, Palestinian and Indian Muslims have been facing sufferings at the hands of their respective regimes. Published in Daily Times, August 15th 2017.