ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Friday with traditional zeal and enthusiasm to commemorate the passage of the Lahore Resolution, later called, the Pakistan Resolution, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan.
The day dawned with special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country and with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital as well as 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals.
The national flag was hoisted at important public and private buildings across the country and all Pakistani missions abroad.
Governmental, political, cultural, social and other organizations have chalked out various programs to mark the day in a befitting manner.
In Lahore, several dignitaries are visiting the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, known as Poet of the East to pay homage to the great poet and philosopher.
People from all walks of life are also visiting the mausoleum, lay floral wreaths on the grave and offer fateha.
Change of guards took place at mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali and Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat Ul- Ebad Khan and other dignitaries visited the mausoleum and lay floral wreaths, besides paying homage to the Father of the Nation.
Pakistan Day is being celebrated with traditional zeal in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, in their messages on the occasion, said Pakistan Day is an occasion for expressing the resolve that no dictator will be permitted to usurp the fundamental rights of people or trample on democratic aspirations. (APP)