Pakistan celebrates 73rd Independence Day with patriotic zeal

ISLAMABAD: The nation is celebrating Independence Day on Friday with a renewed pledge to work with the spirit of Pakistan Movement.

Prayers are being offered for security and progress of Pakistan and well-being of the people. The national flag is been hoisting at all important public and private buildings, while the day has been declared as a public holiday.

The main feature of the celebrations will be a national flag hoisting ceremonies at President House Islamabad, and provincial, divisional and district headquarters throughout the country.

Public and private buildings as well as streets and markets have been profusely illuminated and decorated with national flags, portraits of founding fathers and posters.

A graceful change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in connection with the Independence Day of Pakistan in Lahore today. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army assumed the guard duties at the Mazar-e-Iqbal.

Punjab Chief Minister also visited the mausoleum of Allama where he laid a floral wreath, offered fateha and wrote his expressions in the visitors’ book.

In Karachi, the main event of a change of guard ceremony took place at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah during which a smartly turned out contingent includes 64 cadets of Pakistan Navy assumed the honorary guard duties. Lieutenant Commander Muhammad Saad led the parade command.

In Quetta, the main flag hoisting ceremony was held at the lawn of Balochistan Assembly where Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan hoisted the national flag.

The day was dawn with twenty on gun salute in the provincial capital while special prayers were offered for progress and prosperity of the country. The flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at Governor House Quetta and Balochistan High Court.

The 73rd birth anniversary of Pakistan is also being celebrated in GB with traditional zeal and enthusiasm on Friday. Special functions are being held across te region to pay tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the heroes of Pakistan movement.

The main flag hoisting ceremony was held in the Historic Chinar garden in Gilgit. Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Afzal Khan hoisted the national flag and laid a wreath at Yadgar-e Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of GB police presented guard of honour.

The chief minister unveiled a new political map of Pakistan in Chinar Garden. Cabinet members, Chief Secretary IGP and other officials attended the ceremony. Political, social and religious parties are also held functions to celebrate the event.