KABUL (SW): Afghans across the country and around the world marked the Independence Day with traditional zeal and renewed patriotism.
Main roads, public and private buildings, parks and cars were decorated with tri-color national flag and posters of King Amanullah Khan who was at helm of affairs when Afghanistan declared Independence from British influence over its foreign policy in 1919.
The main event was held at the Ministry of Defense in Kabul where President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani laid floral wreath at the Liberty Memorial. He paid homage to the martyrs who paid sacrifices of their lives to earn independence. Later, Ghani flew to Herat where he inaugurated new cotton processing factory. He said on the occasion the country still needs political and economic independence. He vowed to turn Herat into regional hub for transit trade.
Ghani promised new railway line would be innaugrated in few weeks’ time.
The Independence Day celebrations were also marked in other urban centres including Kandahar, Balkh, Khost, Ghazni, Jalalabad and a number of other cities. In Jalalabad, the units of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) dropped leaflets from the air among the celebrating crowd. Sportsmen from various disciplines showcased their talents at the public event in the Gul Agha Sherzai Stadium in the city.
Gulab Mangal, governor of Nangarhar province, said on the occasion that survey for the renovation of Ghazi Amanullah Khan Shrine and adjacent historical places has been completed, and soon work would commence.
The local youth performed the traditional Attan dance while members of the local Sikh community performed their traditional ‘Chob Jangi’ to mark the day.
ENDS
