Flag march in Hub on Independence Day; security tightened from 11 to 15 August

HUB: A key meeting of the District Coordination Committee (DCC) was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Hub under Deputy Commissioner Hub Jumma Dad Khan Mandokhail. It reviewed in detail the 14 August Independence Day events, Law and Order, traffic management, anti-narcotics measures, action against smuggling, security of government buildings, cleanliness, national activities at educational institutions and the beautification of the city.

The meeting began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by introductions. Officials of the police, the Frontier Corps (FC), the district administration, the Municipal Corporation, the Education Department, the Excise Department, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Pakistan Customs, intelligence agencies, LIEDA, local bodies and other departments concerned attended.

Independence Day events and flag march

The Deputy Commissioner said Independence Day was a day for the whole nation to renew its pledge. He said the 14 August events in Hub district would therefore be held with national dignity, discipline and full national spirit. He directed all departments to complete their duties on time and to make mutual coordination effective. Flag hoisting, national songs and anthems, speeches, sports and other cultural and national activities will be held in different areas of the district.

All government departments were directed to decorate their buildings with national flags and illuminate them. The Chief Officer of Municipal Committee Hub was directed to put up national flags on the RCD route from Bab-e-Balochistan to Gateron Mor, and the MD LIEDA on LIEDA Road. The meeting was told that the Municipal Corporation Hub was making special arrangements to decorate main roads, intersections, government buildings and prominent places with green and white flags, bunting and electric lights. The Deputy Commissioner directed that this work be completed ahead of schedule.

Heads and officers of all departments were directed to attend the main flag-hoisting ceremony at 7:45am on 14 August and the main Independence Day ceremony at the LIEDA Auditorium at 9am. The Assistant Commissioners of Winder and Dreji were directed to hold events in their sub-divisions with the help of chief officers and tehsildars.

It was decided that the flag march of the police, the FC and other law enforcement agencies would start from the LIEDA office, pass through different areas of Hub city and end again at the LIEDA office. It will be led by the SP Hub and the wing commander concerned. The Sports Officer Hub was directed to hold exhibition matches and tournaments in shooting ball, Football and Cricket, with prizes and certificates for winning teams and players.

The Education Department was directed to hold speech contests, national songs, essay writing, tableaux and activities on national themes at all public and private educational institutions. These will teach students about the Pakistan Movement, the principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, national unity and the role of youth in building and developing the country. Prizes, certificates and shields will be given to outstanding students.

It was decided to require banks, petrol pumps and industrial units to illuminate their buildings and hoist the national flag on Independence Day. LIEDA and the Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry were directed to ensure compliance by industrial units, and the Assistant Commissioners of Hub and Winder by petrol pumps. The GM K-Electric was directed to ensure power supply on 14 August and to keep load-shedding to a minimum from 11 to 14 August.

Zero tolerance on security, drugs and smuggling

The Deputy Commissioner directed the police, the FC and intelligence agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against wall chalking in favour of banned organisations and the flying of their flags, and to take immediate legal action. It was decided to secure government buildings, offices, schools, institutions, rest houses and government residences and to verify fully the people living there. Heads of departments were directed to submit a verification and compliance report within 24 hours.

To maintain Law and Order on Independence Day, it was decided to step up special snap checking, search operations and surveillance across the district from 11 to 15 August. Special checkpoints will be set up at entry and exit routes, key intersections, sensitive places, markets and public places. It was also decided to cancel all approved leave of law enforcement personnel from 11 to 15 August and to grant no new leave. The police were directed to provide security to stalls selling national flags and bunting and to increase patrolling.

It was decided to take strict action against traffic violations, wrong parking, speeding, signal violations and illegal number plates, and to strictly enforce the ban on heavy vehicles entering the city. The ANF and the Excise Department were directed to step up intelligence-based action against drugs. The Deputy Commissioner praised the Excise Department’s recent major operation against drug smuggling, carried out with the help of the Pakistan Navy. It was also decided to start joint operations against stocks of smuggled goods under Pakistan Customs, with the help of the district administration, the police and the FC.

Jumma Dad Khan Mandokhail said independence was the fruit of the everlasting struggle and sacrifices of our elders. He said it was now our duty to play our part, united, for the security, sovereignty, progress and prosperity of Pakistan. He urged people to put the sanctity of the national flag and respect for the law first. He appealed to the public to hoist the national flag on their homes, shops and business centres and to take part in the events with enthusiasm.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan