ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated the 70th Independence Day (August 14) on Sunday with great zeal and traditional fervour by paying tributes to the national heroes for their sacrifices and pledging to work for the country’s prosperity.
The day dawned with a 31 gun salute in Islamabad and 21 gun salutes in all the provincial capitals. The main event was held at the Convention Center in Islamabad where President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif hoisted the national flag.
Both the leaders attired in black sherwanis unfurled the green and white flag at 9am sharp coinciding with similar events across the country. Earlier, all traffic came to a halt as sirens blared at 8:58am followed by singing of the national anthem.
The event at the Convention Centre was attended by the National Assembly Speaker, federal ministers, services chiefs, diplomats, elite of the city and children. A ceremony of change of guards was held at the Mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet and great philosopher in Lahore.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited Allama Iqbal’s Mazar and laid a wreath on his grave. He also offered Fateha. In Karachi, an impressive change of guard ceremony was held at the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.
A smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Naval Academy cadets clad in ceremonial dresses assumed guard duties at the Mazar-e-Quaid in the morning with traditional spirit, customary enthusiasm and befitting manner.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with his cabinet members paid a visit to the Mazar-e-Quaid. The embassies and high commissions of Pakistan in various countries celebrated the Independence Day with flag hoisting ceremonies.
In cities, towns and villages across the country special prayers were offered for the peace, prosperity and solidarity of the country while different functions and seminars organised by educational institutions were part of the celebrations.
All major public and private buildings, streets and avenues were illuminated and decorated with national flags, banners and buntings to mark the day.
Cultural, social and literary organisations arranged programmes. Meanwhile, the Azadi Train which is one of the striking features of the Independence Day celebrations continued its countrywide one-month journey which began on Thursday from the Margalla Station, Islamabad. The train, comprises over 17 coaches, is exhibiting different aspects of Pakistans’ culture besides highlighting the sacrifices of heroes of the Independence Movement and armed forces for the country’s defence.
The Pakistan Post issued a commemorative stamp to pay tribute to great social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi for his services. He died last month.
In Islamabad, the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) under its weeklong programmes organised an Azadi cultural and musical show featuring a number of
colourful performances by the artists belonging to all the provinces.
A three day Mela continued at Capital's F-9 Park on third day featuring different stalls carrying Jashan i Azadi accessories including dresses, flags, bunting and eatables.
The Jashan i Azadi Mela started on Friday.
Lok Virsa Mandwa Film Club screened the famous film Jinnah at its Virsa Media Centre.
Lok Virsa held the special Independence Day cake cutting ceremony at the Pakistan Monument Museum.
The newly established Lok Virsa Folk Dance Group performed at the Heritage Museum.
Lok Virsa is arranging week long activities to celebrate the Independence Day and this is for the first time that its cultural dance group will be launched, said Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr Fauzia Saeed.
Talking to APP she said screening of the film Jinnah, exhibition cultural show and cake cutting ceremony were the main highlights of the Lok Virsa's activities.