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Nation celebrates

Independence Day today

ISLAMABAD: Nation will celebrate the 49th Independence Day of Pakistan on Monday, August 14, with a renewed pledge to make the country economically vibrant, socially strong and politically stable to effectively meet the challenges of the rapidly changing world.

The day will dawn with 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals. Special prayers will also be offered in all the mosques across the country for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country, peace in Karachi liberation of Kashmir, Palistine, Bosnia and other subjugated Muslim areas.

Sirens will be sounded throughout the country at 7.59 a.m. and the entire rail and road traffic will come to a standstill for one minute.

The biggest event of the day will be the flag hoisting ceremony in front of the dazzling Parliament House at Islamabad to be performed by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto at 8 a.m. and thereafter the entire nation will join her in singing the National Anthem.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister will also address the nation. School children attired in national dress will sing national songs.

The venue of the flag hoisting ceremony has already been tastefully decorated with the national flag and banners.

It will be a gazetted holiday on August 14 and the national flag will be hoisted atop all the government and private buildings.

National flags are fluttering atop all houses in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad conveying a very clear message that the custodians of Pakistan are vigilant and ready to render every kind of sacrifice to ensure integrity and independence of the motherland gifted to them by their forefathers at the cost of their lives.

The national newspapers will publish special supplements while the electronic media will telecast and broadcast thought-provoking programmes highlighting the importance of the day.

In the evening all the buildings, government and private will be illuminated.

Pakistan embassies abroad will also celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner. The respective ambassadors will hoist national flags at the Chancery buildings.

Different social organisations as well as schools and colleges have also chalked out colourful programmes including national songs competitions, declamation contests and concerts to celebrate the day.

LAHORE: The day will down with 21 guns salute at the provincial capital. After the Fajar prayer 'Quran Khawani' will be held at the big mosques of the provincial metropolis to pay homage to the martyres of Freedom Movement of Pakistan.

Punjab Chief Minister Manzoor Wattoo will hoist National Flag at the historic building of Lahore Fort while the Punjab Governor Raja Saroop Khan will hoist national flag at the building of Governor House. Likewise, all the government officers will hoist national flags at their government offices, Senator Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Chief Organizer PML(N) will hoist national flag at the Muslim League House, Davis Road, Lahore.

Pakistan Army has made eleborate arrangements to celebrate the independence day in traditional fervour and befitting manner here Monday to mark the day of August 14, 1947 when Muslims of the sub-continent won their independent homeland.

Soon after firing of 21 guns salute at Fortress Stadium guard mounting ceremony at Mazar-e-Iqbal will be held at 6.45 a.m. which will be followed by flag hoisting ceremony at the Corps Headquarters, Munir Road, Lahore Cantonment at 7.45 a.m.

The Independence Day celebrations will begin with thanks-giving prayers after Fajar prayer at the mosques of the local garrison.

A change of guard ceremony will be held at Mazar-e-Iqbal to pay homage to the poet of East. National flag hoisting ceremonies will be held at the formation Headquarters and units of the garrison. The Army band will entertain the general public with the display of milli and marshal tunes at the public places.

The Corps Commander, Lieut-General Humayun Khan Bangash will host the Independence Day reception at the Garrison Mess in the evening.

Special Unit Darbars, Bara Khana and Illumination will be other events of the day long celebrations.

Opposition leader Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will also address the workers of Pakistan Muslim League (N) at the Muslim League House in connection with Independence Day here on Monday.

Tehrik-e-Pakistan Workers Trust has also arranged a special function to celebrate the day. Its chairman, Justice (Rtd) Dr. Javed Iqbal will distribute gold medals among the workers of Pakistan Movement at 2.30 p.m. at a hotel here.

Girl guides from all women colleges of the city will hold a rally at Girl Guide House at 10.30 a.m. here at Habib Ullah Road to mark the day. Sports Board Punjab (SBP) will hold competitions in five disciplines.

Lahore Stock Exchange will celebrate the day by holding a flag hoisting ceremony at its premises at 7 a.m. whereas Central Telecommunication Region (CTR) will hoist national flag at its Microwave station at Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road at 7.30 a.m.

Leaders and workers of Pakistan People Party will lay floral wreaths at the Mazar of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

General Public will also visit the Mazar of Allama Iqbal to pay tributes to the great poet-thinker.

Different social welfare organizations have also arranged rallies at the Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam to celebrate the day.

Lahore correspondent reports that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry has chalked out a programme to celebrate the Independence Day. The day will commence with a flag hoisting ceremony at the Chamber premises by Sh. Wahiduddin, Sr. Vice President LCCI. After this ceremony the children of LCCI staff will deliver speeches on the Independence Day. The poems and national songs would also be presented at this occasion. Tariq Saigol, President LCCI, will also address this function.