Independence Day celebrations feature flag hoisting, illuminations, and prayers
The main ceremony occurs at the Pakistan Monument, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoists the national flag.
Islamabad: The day started with a 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial headquarters. Special prayers were held in mosques across the country for peace, unity, and prosperity.
The main national flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the national flag. He was joined by national Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani. The PM also laid a floral wreath at the monument to honor the country’s founding fathers and national heroes.
Prior to the flag-hoisting, sirens were sounded, and a minute of silence was observed. Following the flag unfurling, a salute was given, and the national anthem was played.
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Earlier in the day, a change of guard ceremony took place at the Quaid’s Mausoleum, where a contingent of cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy took over duties.
Across the country, roadside stalls were set up in various cities selling flags, badges, stickers, and patriotic clothing to celebrate the occasion.
In Lahore, a change of guard ceremony occurred at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum, with the Pakistan Army replacing the Rangers. Major General Shoaib bin Akram, commanding officer of the 10th Division, was the chief guest. He laid a wreath at the mausoleum and signed the guest book.
In Hazuri Bagh, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz attended an Independence Day ceremony, where she hoisted the national flag. The event was also attended by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Provincial Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman. Maryam Nawaz later visited Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum, where she offered prayers and wrote her thoughts in the guest book.
At the Governor’s House in Lahore, Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan raised the national flag in a ceremony attended by the Iranian consul general and local leaders of the PPP. The event was filled with patriotic slogans, highlighting the nation’s unity and pride.
Additionally, a flag-hoisting ceremony took place at the Lahore High Court, where Acting Chief Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh unfurled the flag. He received a salute from a contingent of the police force, with judges, lawyers, and court staff also taking part in the ceremony.
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In Karachi, the change of guard ceremony at the Quaid’s Mausoleum was performed by cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy. Commodore Muhammad Khalid, commandant of the Naval Academy, was the chief guest and inspected the guard parade. Both the Sindh governor and chief minister attended the event and laid flowers at the mausoleum.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah highlighted the importance of unity during these challenging times to advance the nation, while Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori pledged to counter any attempts to politically destabilize the country.
On the eve of Independence Day, the Governor’s House in Karachi was adorned with vibrant lights, and the largest fireworks display in history was held, attracting a large crowd. The celebrations included the cutting of a 1,000-pound cake, symbolizing national joy. Unfortunately, the event also saw a 50-year-old woman injured in a stampede.
The Sindh High Court marked Independence Day with a flag-hoisting ceremony led by Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui. He, along with Rehan Aziz Malik, president of the Sindh High Court Bar, also cut an Independence Day cake. In his address, Chief Justice Siddiqui called for national efforts towards development and prosperity, stressing the need to uphold the constitution and law to protect Pakistan’s ideological and geographical boundaries.
The MQM-Pakistan hosted a spectacular fireworks display at Five Star Chowrangi, drawing large crowds. Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who addressed the gathering, congratulated everyone on Independence Day and remarked that the descendants of Pakistan’s founders are still alive. Senior leader Mustafa Kamal emphasized that Karachi’s economic vitality is crucial for the country’s progress.
The Jamaat-e-Islami organized a flag-hoisting ceremony at Water Pump Chowrangi in Karachi, where Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Munim Zafar Khan raised the flag. Khan stated that addressing the nation’s issues requires making Pakistan an Islamic ideological and welfare state.
The Foreign Office building was illuminated with vibrant colors representing the national flag, symbolizing the nation’s strength and unity.
At the Islamabad High Court, Chief Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani led a flag-hoisting ceremony, accompanied by Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Tahir. The ceremony included prayers for Pakistan’s development and stability. Chief Justice Kayani emphasized the ongoing importance of working within the Constitution and law to maintain the country’s ideological and geographical integrity.
In Peshawar, the main flag-hoisting ceremony took place at the Civil Secretariat, where Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur raised the national flag. The event featured a police salute, performances by school children, and a celebratory cake cutting.
In Quetta, Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Balochistan Assembly, where a flag-hoisting ceremony was held. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, and other high-ranking officials.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, the historic Chinar Bagh hosted an official flag-hoisting ceremony. Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan paid tribute to the martyrs and urged citizens to safeguard the freedom achieved by their forefathers.
At the Pak-Afghan border in Chaman, a vibrant Independence Day celebration featured the hoisting of a massive 60×40 feet national flag at Bab-e-Dosti. The ceremony drew a large crowd of businessmen and citizens, who came together to celebrate the nation’s independence with pride.
These celebrations across the country underscored the unity, patriotism, and resilience of the Pakistani people as they commemorated their nation’s independence with enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to progress and prosperity.
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