PESHAWAR: Pakistan is celebrating the 75th Independence Day with traditional zeal and enthusiasm. The day begin with 31-gun salute in federal capital and special prayers were offered in Fajr prayers for the peace, unity, development, and prosperity of the nation.
The national flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Presidency in Islamabad with President Arif Alvi as the Chief Guest. Flag-hoisting ceremonies are also being held at all provincial capitals, divisional and district levels. Independence Day celebrations and rallies are being organized in small and major cities including Peshawar, Quetta Karachi and Lahore.
President Dr Arif Alvi and the Prime Minister Imran Khan issued special messages while the google search engine also used the colors of the Pakistani flag in its doodle on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Guards change ceremonies were held at the shrines of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of nation, and Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Cadets of Pakistan Naval Academy took over the duties of Honorary Guards at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi where special guest was Commodore Sohail Ahmed who laid flowers at Mazar-e-Quaid and offered Fateha. On the other hand, contingent of Pakistan Army took over the duties of guards at the shrine of national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore.
At 12 o’clock last night, spectacular fireworks were displayed in different cities as young people took to the streets with green flags and banners. Streets, highways, intersections were decorated with light and government buildings were illuminated in green and white.
In his message to the nation on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day, President Alvi said, “During our 74-year journey, Pakistan faced numerous challenges, but with the grace of Allah and sacrifices, the nation is moving forward.” He said that Pakistanis are brave nation and have remarkable achievements in every fields. President Alvi said that Pakistan had been hosting millions of Afghan refugees for decades, adding that Pakistan’s effective measures against the Coronavirus pandemic were also appreciated at international level.
Dr Alvi claimed that the country is on the ‘track’ of development and the government has taken remarkable steps to empower women and differently-abled people through the provision of loans and imparting basic skills.
“We also renew our commitment to continue providing moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. I also appeal to the international community to force India to withdraw from occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Alvi said.
In his message to the nation, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan has faced daunting challenges in the journey to emerge as a united, peaceful and determined nation. PM Khan said, “The changing situation is a test of our determination, but we will overcome the obstacles and will emerge as a stronger nation.”
“The world has appreciated our policies on economic recovery, tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and environmental protection,” PM claimed. The Prime Minister said that on independence we should not forget Kashmiris who are struggling for their right to self-determination and seeking freedom from oppression and Indian illegal occupation. The premier reaffirmed that Pakistan will fulfill all the commitments with the people of Kashmir and will continue to support them in their struggle for self-determination.