LAHORE : Pakistan Day was celebrated at all PAF bases and facilities with traditional zeal and fervour.
The daylong celebrations started with special prayers after Fajar prayers for the solidarity, progress and prosperity of Pakistan and the Muslim world.
A guard mounting and wreath-laying ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal. A smartly-turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force took over guard duties from Satluj Rangers. Air Commodore Rizwan Malik inspected the parade there and presented general salute to the great poet.
Air Commodore Syed Sabahat Hassan, Base Commander, Pakistan Air Force Base, Lahore, laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha at the grave of Allama Iqbal on behalf of chief of the air staff and other PFA staff.
Alhamra: The Lahore/Alhamra Arts Council held a pictorial exhibition based on the theme of Pakistan Day.
Alhamra Arts Council Chairman Tauqeer Nasir inaugurated the exhibition. In his address on Pakistan Day, he said March 23, 1940 was a turning point in the struggle for Pakistan.
The arts council executive director, Ather Ali Khan, said, “It is an occasion to pay tribute to our great leaders who withstood all adversities but remained steadfast in their mission to secure a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Day was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm by the Lahore Arts Council by holding the exhibition, national songs programme, mushaira, dramas and other activities.
A large number of people attended the activities.
Carnival for children: The Pakistan Day Carnival, an event for schoolchildren in connection with Pakistan Day Resolution, was held at Children Library Complex here on Saturday.
Punjab Minister for School Education Dr Murad Raas was the chief guest on the occasion. Children Library Complex Chairperson Mariam Khokhar, Sabahat Rafiq, schoolteachers and a large number of students from different schools attended the event.
Dr Murad Raas the incumbent government was working on introducing reforms for quality education in public schools.
He also acknowledged the services rendered by private schools for the promotion of education in the province. The minister said the government was working hard to make the standard of public schools even better than private schools. “However, all this will take some time,” he said and added children would enjoy visiting libraries as these would be fun and knowledge places for them.
The day-long event featured tech-based learning, interactive sessions and food gala, etc, for the children and their families.
Labourers: The working class celebrated Pakistan Day all over the country under the aegis of All Pakistan Workers Confederation by holding special meetings and conferences to pay tribute to the founder of Pakistan, workers and martyrs of Pakistan Movement.
A meeting was held at Bakhtiar Labour Hall, Lahore. It was participated by hundreds of trade union representatives and workers.
Trade union leaders Khurshid Ahmad, Niaz Khan, Salahuddin Ayyubi, Osama Tariq and others addressed the event.
The gathering also hoisted the national flag and prayed for the prosperity of the motherland.
Teachers: The Punjab Teachers Union (PTU) has suggested the government celebrate Pakistan Day at the school level like August 14 to create awareness among the young students about the importance of the day.
In their joint message on Pakistan Day, the PTU leaders, including Chaudhry Muhammad Sarfraz and Rana Liaqat said, “March 23 reminded us of the sacrifices of our great leaders and elders for the creation of Pakistan. The schoolteachers today resolve that they would leave no stone unturned for the development and progress of the country,” they said. The PTU leaders suggested the government celebrate Pakistan Resolution Day like Independence Day at the school level to create awareness among the students about the importance of the day.
PSCA: The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) held a ceremony at its headquarters at Qurban Lines to celebrate the 79th Pakistan Day.
During the ceremony, the national flag was hoisted and a cake was cut by the authority's top command and other staff members together.
At the same time, the Public Address System at more than 300 locations across the City aired patriotic songs. The event concluded with the prayers for the motherland after speeches, skits and national songs.
NH&MP: National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) Training College, Sheikhupura, Commandant and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mehboob Aslam said on Saturday that great sacrifices were rendered to achieve Pakistan and now collective efforts were needed for the bright future of the country.
He said this while addressing a function held in connection with the Pakistan Day at the training college, Sheikupura.
He said, "NH&MP is following the principles of courtesy, honesty and help to ensure best services to the travellers on the highways and motorways. He said the prime minister had a vision to make the country free from corruption. The DIG said that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's visit to Pakistan was a pride moment for the country. During the function, a parade was also held by a contingent of NH&MP while children performed tableaus and sang national songs to highlight the importance of Pakistan Day.
Later, the DIG presented a salute at Yaadgar-e-Shuhada and a cake was also cut to mark the day.