MINGORA: The Silch community in Swat organised a colourful event on Sunday in connection with the 70th Independence Day of the country.
The ceremony was held at the major Gurdwara in Mingora. The participants of the event sang patriotic and national songs.
They also prayed for the development and prosperity of the country.
Bansri Lal, the head of the Gurdwara, said that Sikh community celebrated Independence Day every year with zeal to show their patriotism and love for their homeland.
`We want to send the message of our happiness and love to the whole world by celebrating our Independence Day. It shows how much we are happy and peaceful here and the Muslim community in Swat never treated us as minority but as their brethren,` he told Dawn.
Bansri Lal said they were free to live their lives according to their wishes and religion. He said that Pakistan was their homeland and they never hesitated to offertheir lives for its safety and protection.
Gulzari Lal, another member of the community who is also a councillor on reserved seat in Mingora tehsil, said that Sikhs lived in Swat for centuries. He said that they didn`t migrate after 1947 because they never faced any problem.
`We are fully free to worship and live according to our wishes. That`s why we are happy here and ahve every right,` he said, adding that Sikh community worked for development and prosperity of the country.
The district administration also organised an event at Grassy Ground on the night between August 13 and 14 wherein a large number of people gathered and enjoyed the illumination made by fireworks.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Amir Afag visited different markets and bazaars in Mingora and met with shopkeepers and stall owners, who were selling national flags, badges and other items.
He told the shopkeepers that every citizen should celebrate the Independence Day with national zeal. Correspondent