ISLAMABAD: The nation is celebrating Independence Day today on Saturday with traditional zeal and fervor and a renewed resolve to work with the spirit of the Pakistan Movement to make the country a true Islamic welfare state.
The day will dawn with thirty-one gun salutes in the federal capital and twenty-one gun salutes in the provincial headquarters. The national flag will be hoisted at all important public and private buildings. Special prayers will be offered for security and progress of Pakistan and the wellbeing of the people.
The main feature of the celebrations will be a national flag hoisting ceremony at President House Islamabad. President Dr Arif Alvi will be the chief guest on the occasion.
Similar flag hoisting ceremonies will also be held at provincial, divisional, and district headquarters throughout the country. Public and private buildings, streets, bazaars, and markets have been illuminated on the auspicious occasion.
National flags, buntings, portraits of founding fathers, posters and banners are seen everywhere as part of the celebration of Independence Day. Many cities witnessed fireworks as revellers took to the streets as the clock struck midnight.
President Dr Arif Alvi will confer Pakistan Civil Awards on 126 Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals for showing excellence and courage in their respective fields, tomorrow.
These awards include three Nishan-i-Imtiaz, two Hilal-i-Pakistan, six Hilal-i-Imtiaz, four Sitar-i-Pakistan, three Sitara-i-Shuja’at, 17 Sitara-i-Imtiaz, 39 President’s Award for Pride of Performance, three Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam, 17 Tamgha-i-Shuja’at, 31Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, and one Tamgha-i-Quaid-i-Azam.
