Islamabad (Web Desk): The nation is celebrating Independence Day today (Friday) with renewed pledge to work with the spirit of Pakistan Movement to make the country a true Islamic welfare state.
The day began with the traditional thirty-one gun salute in the federal capital and twenty-one gun salute in the provincial capitals.
Prayers were offered for security and progress of Pakistan and well-being of the people. National flag is being hoisted at all important public and private buildings.
Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at the President House and the provincial, divisional and district headquarters level throughout the country.
Public and private buildings as well as streets, bazaars and markets have been profusely illuminated.
National flags, buntings, portraits of founding fathers, posters and banners are also seen everywhere as part of the celebration of Independence Day.
Meanwhile, ceremonies were held in provincial capitals, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the Radio Pakistan reported.
Karachi
The day dawned in the provincial capital with 21 gun-salutes while special prayers were offered at mosques for the country’s safety prosperity and development.
The main event of a change of guard ceremony took place at Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
A smartly turned out contingent includes 64 cadets of Pakistan Navy assumed the honorary guard duties.
Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, cabinet members and other high rankings officials attended the ceremony.
Lahore
The day dawned with 21-gun salute in the provincial metropolis.
A special ceremony was held in connection with Independence Day at Hazoori Bagh in Lahore on Friday where Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar hoisted the national flag.
A graceful change of guard ceremony was also held at mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in connection with the Independence Day.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army assumed the guard duties at the Mazar-e-Iqbal.
Peshawar
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the main function in connection with 74th Independence Day was held at Police Lines in Peshawar.
KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan hoisted the national flag at the ceremony.
Collective prayers were made for development and prosperity of the country and liberation of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at Divisional and District Administration offices across the province.
Earlier in the morning, twenty-one gun salutes were fired in the provincial capital to mark the Independence Day.
Quetta
In Quetta, main flag hoisting ceremony was held at the lawn of Balochistan Assembly this morning where Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan hoisted the national flag.
The day began with 21-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, Balochistan High Court and Radio Pakistan Quetta Station.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), main flag hoisting ceremony of the Independence Day was held at the President House in Muzaffarabad.
AJK President Sardar Masood Khan hoisted the national flag.
AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, cabinet and legislative assembly members, notables of the city and other high-ranking civil and military officials attended the ceremony.
National anthems of both Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were played while a smart contingent of police presented salute.
Earlier, the day dawned with 21-gun salutes in the state capital Muzaffarabad.
Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), main flag hoisting ceremony was held in Historic Chinar Garden in Gilgit.
Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Afzal Khan hoisted national flag and laid wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada.
A smartly turn out contingent of GB police presented guard of honor at Yadgar.
On this occasion, the chief minister unveiled new political map of Pakistan in Chinar Garden.
Soon after the ceremony, Azadi rally was brought out from City Park which passing through main road culminated at Public Chowk in Jutial, Gilgit.
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the nation on Independence Day.
In their messages on the occasion, the president and the prime minister recalled the sacrifices of the forefathers and those who fought for and laid down their lives in defence of the country.
They urged the nation to remain steadfast and resilient when faced with any challenges.
