Nation to celebrate Independence Day with zeal, fervor

ISLAMABAD: The nation will celebrate Independence Day on Tuesday with traditional zeal and fervor and a renewed commitment to make the motherland prosperous and impregnable.

The day will dawn with 31 guns salute at federal capital and 21 guns at provincial capitals and special prayers will be offered at worship places for well being, welfare and better future of Pakistani nation.

Pakistanis living within the country and abroad have planned detailed programs to celebrate the day in a befitting manner.

Besides prayers for the solidarity and stability of the country, they will renew the commitment to serve it with zeal and sincerity.

Tributes are paid to founding father Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and great thinker and philosopher Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal, who gave Muslims of sub-continent idea of a separate homeland. An impressive ceremony of 'change of guard' will also take place at Mazar-e-Quaid.

Main event of the federal capital will be flag hoisting by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at Convention Centre while series of other events have been planned for the day by the political parties, civil society and other strata of life.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf have called upon the nation to stand firm against all odds and challenges.

"Falling in the holy month of Ramzan, it is the most important date in our national calendar. While it is natural to rejoice today in our independence celebrations, it is also an occasion to pause and ponder over whether we have moved towards or away from the ideals for which Pakistan was created," said the President.

The Prime Minister in his message said, "we are confronted with various challenges but we are a determined and resolute nation and can overcome these daunting challenges if we demonstrate tolerance unity solidarity and understanding."

Preparations are also in full swing in all cities and districts of the country to celebrate the Day. Despite fasting and hot weather the people, especially the children are enthusiastically purchasing national flags, buntings, posters, stickers and candles to decorate their homes on the day.

A number of social, cultural and literary organizations and educational institutes have chalked out various programs to mark the day.

Newspapers printed special supplements in connection with the day while electronic and broadcast media is telecasting and broadcasting special programs.

Key government buildings including the Parliament House, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Prime Minister's House, President House, Secretariat and other important places in the capital are illuminated as part of Independence Day celebrations.

Federal and provincial governments are also ensuring detailed security arrangements with additional deployment of personnel to thwart any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, the government has also planned detailed programs across Balochistan to celebrate the day with zeal and commitment and promote the sense of unity and national cohesion among the deprived
people of the province.

August 14, 1947 represents the victory of those politicians who worked relentlessly to free the Muslims from the British repression.

Men, women and children all over Pakistan and abroad celebrate Independence Day to pay their respect to those rendered sacrifices for an independent country. (APP)