Key points
- Victory in Marka-e-Haq boosts national pride and unity
- Flag hoisting ceremony held at Pakistan Monument
- Cities adorned with flags, lights
- Special prayers offered for peace
ISLAMABAD: The nation is celebrating the 78th Independence Day today with a renewed pledge to work with the spirit of the Pakistan Movement to make the country a true Islamic welfare state.
The day dawned with a 31-gun salute at the Federal Capital and a 21-gun salute at provincial headquarters.
Special prayers were offered in mosques for peace, solidarity, and prosperity of the country. The main flag hosting ceremony is being held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will unfurl the national flag.
Marka-e-Haq
It is pertinent to mention that the recent victory in the Marka-e-Haq against India’s unprovoked aggression has heightened the nation’s fervour for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
Buildings have been decorated with national flags, bunting, and lights. People have raised national flags on their vehicles and rooftops of their houses.
Radio Pakistan is also broadcasting special programs to mark the day. From Islamabad to Karachi, Lahore to Quetta, and across towns and villages, streets, markets, and homes are adorned with national flags, buntings, and decorative lights.
Gilgit Baltistan celebrates Independence Day
Like the rest of the country, Pakistan’s Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Gilgit-Baltistan. The main event took place at Chinar Bagh, where Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Home Affairs Shams Lone hoisted the national flag, laid floral wreaths at the Martyrs’ Monument, and offered Fateha.
The ceremony was attended by Minister for Planning and Development Raja Nasir, the Inspector General of Gilgit-Baltistan Police, provincial secretaries, heads of various departments, and a large number of citizens. On the occasion, a smartly turned-out contingent of GB Police presented a salute to the chief guest.
In his address, the Home Minister said Independence Day was a time to renew the pledge made when the dream of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal became a reality. He paid tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir and the armed forces for their role in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in defending the country.
