The nation celebrated its 74th Independence Day yesterday with a renewed pledge to work with the spirit of the Pakistan Movement to make the country a true Islamic welfare state.
Prayers were offered for the security and progress of Pakistan and well-being of the people.
The national flag was hoisted at all important public and private buildings.
Public and private buildings as well as streets, bazaars and markets have been profusely illuminated and decorated with the national flag, portraits of founding fathers, and posters.
Tech giant Google, following its tradition, marked Pakistan’s Independence Day by dedicating a doodle on its homepage.
The doodle is green in colour and shows the historic Khojak Tunnel in Baluchistan.
In the past, Google’s doodles have drawn inspiration from the Lahore Fort, Khyber Pass, and the Indus Valley Civilization.
A special ceremony was held in connection with Independence Day at Hazoori Bagh in Lahore yesterday, where Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar hoisted the national flag.
The day dawned with a 21-gun salute in the provincial metropolis, followed by a change of guard ceremony at Mazar-e-Iqbal.
A change of guard ceremony was also held at mausoleum of Dr Allama Mohamed Iqbal in connection with the Independence Day.
A contingent of the Pakistan Army assumed the guard duties at the Mazar-e-Iqbal.
In Karachi, the change of guard ceremony took place at Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Mohamed Ali Jinnah.
A contingent of 64 cadets of the Pakistan Navy assumed the honorary guard duties at the mausoleum.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, cabinet members and other high rankings officials attended the ceremony.
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.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the main function in connection with 74th Independence Day was held at Peshawar’s Police Lines.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (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-administered Kashmir.
Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at Divisional and District Administration offices across the province.
Earlier in the morning, a 21-gun salute was held in Peshawar to mark the Independence Day.
In Quetta, the main flag hoisting ceremony was held at the lawn of Baluchistan Assembly in the morning, with Baluchistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan hoisting the national flag.
The day began with a 21-gun salute in the provincial capital.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the journey towards Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan has begun for rule of law and towards an Islamic welfare state, premised on compassion.
In a series of tweets yesterday, he congratulated the nation on successfully tackling the coronavirus pandemic and upturning the economy after two years of struggle.
Khan said that the poor people are protected through cash support and smart lockdowns.
He said the country’s current account and fiscal deficits are down, and the construction industry is taking off because of the government’s special incentives.
The prime minister said that the stock market, exports, revenues as well as sales of cement and car, are up.
Khan also congratulated the nation for fixing the “damaged” structure the government inherited in power sector.
He said that after long negotiations, the government has signed new agreement with IPPs (independent power producers), which will bring down cost of power generation and reduce circular debt.
He said that the next reform target is the power distribution system.
In his message to Kashmiri brethren, the prime minister said that Pakistan stands united with them in their struggle to self-determination.
He said Pakistan will provide them with all the support at all levels.
A Pakistan Navy officer salutes at the mausoleum of founder Mohamed Ali Jinnah during the Independence Day celebrations in Karachi.
