PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra on Friday called for unity, harmony and joint efforts for prosperity of the motherland.

During his visit to Peshawar Railway Station here, he appreciated the arrangements for running the Azadi Train by Pakistan Railways. Addressing a ceremony on the occasion, he said that such an initiative was laudable.

`As an independent nation we would have to form unity among our ranks and rise above personal interests and work together for protection and prosperity of the motherland,` the governor stressed.

He said creating awareness among masses about blessings of independence and highlighting the efforts of those who contributed in creation of Pakistan was commendable.

Mr Jhagra condemned the terrorist attack in Quetta, saying the whole nation stood by the aggrieved people and expressed resolve to give every sacrifice for defeating militancy.

The governor said Azadi Train was an effort to pay rich tribute to national heroes and to recall the sacriñces offorefathers of the nation.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, high ranking officers and a large number of common people attended the function.

As part of Independence Day celebrations, Pakistan Railways has decorated and launched a special Azadi Train that arrived here at Peshawar railway station, last night, and started its 4,000km-long journey acrosscountry.

The PR has prepared special floats on the train to represent heritage, architecture and culture of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while the national and local folk artists, army and police bands would present traditional songs and music during the country-wide cultural performances at all important railway stations.