THANDYANI
Painted his car with green and white colours of the national flag, Ehtisham Khan (25), lecturer of Urdu literature, was over-the-moon after visiting his dream place Thandyani alongwith childhood friends to celebrate Jashin-e- Azadi with great pump and show on Monday.
Enjoying the national songs of ‘Dil Dil Pakistan and Sohni Dharti’ with his friends, Shahryar Haider and Umar Khan on his music system, Ehtisham was seen busy in hammering and fixing tents’ bolts at Thandyani top Abbottabad to enjoy pleasant change in weather on Jashin-e-Azadi without any charge.
“We started our journey towards Thandyani after performing Fajar prayer and reached here in five hours amid hide and seek between sun and black clouds sometimes with erratic rainfalls, which doubled our joy on Pakistan birthday,” said Ehtisham while enjoying fruits with friends in the jampacked Galiyat.
“We selected Thandyani as first camping site as tourists can easily see the snow-covered Pir Panjal mountain range of Kashmir and lush green terrains of Kaghan and Kohistan besides snow-clad ranges of Swat and Chitral from Thandyani top,” he said.
Carrying a height of 2,750 meters of above sea level, Thandyani takes tourists, nature lovers and adventure sports enthusiasts into lap of serenity,” Ehtisham Khan who was wearing the traditional Peshawari Chappal and green shirt told APP.
“Pakistan, being the most beautiful country, had given us everything including identity, prestige and honour. Our identity as a Pakistani, that we must cherish and protect it as we guard our caste and family name,” he said.
“I celebrated Pakistan’s birthday today like my own birthday. Independence of Pakistan is a great blessing from the Almighty Allah and cherish it like you cherish other blessings with great enthusiasm,” he said.
Every year, 14th August reminds us of the supreme sacrifices rendered by our forefathers for Pakistan, adding the incredible fervour and enthusiasm displayed on this Jashin e Azadi should remain alive throughout the year and this spirit be visible in every good step we take for the betterment of our beloved country.
Shahryar, who was an X-Ray technician said that 64percent of population of Pakistan comprises of youth and great responsibilities rest on them to work tirelessly for its economic prosperity.
He said every nation has its milestones to reach up to the development and prosperity. “We as a nation need to work hard, show more dedication and committment to reach upto the high skies by making Pakistan an economic power,” he said.
He said Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during his last visit to Islamia College Peshawar on April 12, 1948 as Governor General of Pakistan had stressed on youth to support their government and work tirelessly for Pakistan.
The great Quaid said , “I am indeed very happy to be present here today and to have the privilege of addressing students of this great Darul Uloom, who are the future builders of Pakistan. Remember your government is like your own garden. Your garden flourishes by the way you look after it and the efforts that you put towards its improvement. Similarly, your government can only flourish by your patriotic, honest and constructive efforts to improve it.”
Meanwhile, the entire Galiyat valleys of Abbottabad including Nathiagali, Ayubia, Thandyani, Bagnotar and Harnoi was turned white and green wirh Pakistani flags on occasion of independence day celebrations.
Influx of tourists from all provinces especially from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces were arrived to these picturesque resorts to enjoy its measmerizing natural beauty on independence day.
Besides hotels and inns, camel and horse riders earned maximum capital with positive economic impact on rural economy.
The improvement of law and order situation and better tourism policies of the government made positive impact on tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Meanwhile, national flags hoisting ceremonies were held at Deputy Commissioner Offices at Haripur, Mansehra and Abbottabad districts and national anthem was played.
The main flag hoisting ceremony was held at Governor house Peshawar where Governor Haji Ghulam Ali hoisted Pakistani flag. National anthem was played and police band presented salute.
Great enthusiasm was witnessed among youth of Khyber Pakthunkhwa who celebrated Jashin e Azadi with great pomp and show.
Peshawar was turned green and white on occasion of Jashin-e-Azadi celebrations where people decorated houses and cars with flags looking festive.
Grest boom was witnessed in sale of Azadi items including flags, banners, bunting and models of Pakistan monument that attracted children.
