The Nation is celebrating 78th Independence Day today with national zeal and fervour.

The day dawned with thirty-one gun salute at the Federal Capital and twenty-one gun salute at provincial headquarters.

Special prayers were offered in mosques for peace, solidarity and prosperity of the country.

Roadside stalls selling flags, badges, stickers, and clothes have been set up in all cities of country to celebrate independence day in a befitting manner.

All government buildings have been illuminated with colourful lights whereas, streets and and roads are decorated with buntings, flags and portraits of the pioneers of freedom.

In Lahore, the main ceremony of Independence Day was held at Hazuri Bagh, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif as the chief guest.

During her address, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif underscored the importance of inclusivity saying that Pakistan belongs to all its citizens, including minorities.

She also recognized the efforts of all stakeholders contributing to the coun
try’s progress.

Earlier, the Chief Minister unfurled the national flag at the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort, visited the shrine of National Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal and laid a floral wreath.

A graceful change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal in connection with the Independence Day in Lahore today.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army assumed the guard duties at the Mazar-e-Iqbal.

The ceremonial guard mounting was followed by floral wreath laying at the Mazar of Allama Iqbal by General Officer Commanding of 10-Division Major General Shoaib Bin Akram to pay homage to the National poet.

A flag-lowering ceremony was held by Punjab Rangers at the Wagha border in Lahore this evening.

The event was attended by people from various parts of the country and witnessed by high-ranked military officials.

The enthusiasm of people who also carrying National flag was palpable during the ceremony, and the atmosphere echoed with national songs and loud slogans fro
m the attendees.

In Karachi, the main ceremony was the change of guard ceremony at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi this morning in which a smartly turned out contingent of cadets of Pakistan Naval Academy assumed guard duty at the mausoleum of the father of the nation.

Commander Pakistan Naval Academy commodore Muhammad Khalid laid a floral wreath on the tomb of the father of the nation, recited fateha and recorded impressions in the impression book.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and Sindh chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with cabinet members visited Mazar-e-Quaid, laid floral wreath and offered fateha.

They also hoisted the national flag in the premises of the Mazar-e-Quaid.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, main ceremony was held at the Civil Secretariat, Peshawar.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur hoisted the national flag.

Addressing the function, he stressed the need for collective efforts and unity to put the country on the path of rapid progress and development.

Meanwhil
e, in another ceremony at the Governor’s House, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi hoisted the national flag.

In his address, he said Pakistan came into being after matchless sacrifices and emphasized stern efforts for its development.

In Balochistan, the main flag hoisting ceremony was held at Balochistan Provincial Assembly in Quetta.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar hoisted the national flag along with Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan can be made the axis of economic stability, peace and development with unity.

He said the government is committed to make Pakistan an economic power. Ishaq Dar said serious efforts are being made to achieve the economic goals set by the government.

He said all possible measures are being taken to increase the growth rate of GDP to eliminate unemployment and inflation.

He said nefarious designs of anti-state elements will be thwarted at all costs.

A ceremony to mark the Independ
ence Day was also held at Qaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah Residency in Ziarat.

Deputy Commissioner Ziarat Liaqat Ali Kakar and Brigadier Loralai Scouts Abdul Razaq hoisted the national flag.

Civil and military officers, local notables and a large number of area people were also present.

The smartly turned out contingent of police presented a salute of honour to the national flag.

In Azad Kashmir, the main flag hoisting ceremony was held at High Court Ground where AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry and Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwa-ul- Haq hoisted the national flag.

A smartly turned-out contingent of police presented a salute.

On this occasion, the AJK President and Prime Minister paid homage to the struggle and sacrifices of the ancestors who sacrificed everything for the sake of Pakistan.

They said that Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC celebrate Pakistan’s independence with joy and observe India’s Independence Day as Black Day.

Similarly, flag hoisting ceremonies took place at AJK Supre
me Court, High Court, circuit benches in Mirpur and Rawlakot, and lower courts across AJK.

In Gilgit Baltistan, the main flag hosting ceremony was held at Chinaar Baagh in Gilgit.

Governor of Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan hoisted the national flag and laid the wreath of the flowers on the memorial of the Shuhdaa.

Speaking on the occasion, they underlined the need for collective endeavors to steer the country out of existing crises.

Special prayers were also offered for peace and prosperity of the country.

Source: Radio Pakistan