The 71st anniversary of the country's Independence Day was celebrated with national zeal and fervour as thousands of people mostly the jubilant youth took to city roads to express their patriotism, love and devotion to the motherland Pakistan on Tuesday..
The day began with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country.
The main event of the day was the flag-hoisting ceremony at the mausoleum of founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah where an impressive change of the guards ceremony was also held and the Pak Navy sailors assumed the guard's duty. Commandant Pakistan Navy Commodore Waqar Muhammad was the chief guest of the ceremony.
Caretaker Chief Minister Fazal-ur-Rehman along with acting Sindh Governor Agha Siraj Durrani performed flag-hoisting ceremony and received Pakistan Day felicitation from diplomats of different countries and the people of civil society who attended the Pakistan Day programme at the Mazar.
During the flag-hoisting ceremony National Anthem was played and all the guests and schoolchildren sang the anthem. The children clad in national dresses and school uniforms kept hoisting small flags during the ceremony. A number of people representing various organizations also visited the Mazar of the Quaid to pay homage to the father of the nation.
Caretaker CM told the media that the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had a dream to make Pakistan a welfare state and we all are working hard in that direction. "It was his struggle and leadership that today we are an independent nation," he said, adding that "we have to work hard to make Pakistan truly a welfare state." He mingled with schoolchildren and lauded their national spirit. He also planted a tree in the garden of Mazar-e-Quaid.
Sindh Chief Minister-in-waiting Syed Murad Ali Shah, along with his party delegation, comprising Sindh PPP president Nisar Khuhro, MPAs Sohail Siyal, Saeed Ghani, Imdad Pitafi, Qasim Siraj Soomro, party leaders Waqar Mehdi, also visited the mausoleum and offered Fateha.
Murad said that the party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has laid great responsibility on his shoulders by nominating him as chief minister of Sindh. "I am thankful to him and other party leadership for their trust," he said and added "under the guidance of party chairman I would serve people of Sindh to the best of my abilities," he said.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh Director General Major General Muhammad Saeed also laid floral wreath at the grave of Quaid-e-Azam. Along with other senior officers of the paramilitary force, he offered fateha and prayed for the prosperity and progress of the country. Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at the headquarters, wing headquarters and sector offices of the Rangers to mark the day.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) leader and nominee for Sindh Governor, Imran Ismail, claimed he was denied entry into Mazar-e-Quaid, where he was to offer fateha (prayers).
He tweeted that the PPP delegation led by CM-in-waiting was permitted to enter the premises with full Protocol but he was denied entry.
The upcoming Governor ended his tweet with a message that 'we just talked about demolishing the wall(s)' in a reference to recently-debated remarks of Imran Khan wherein he had vowed to 'bulldoze walls of governor houses in Pakistan.
Various city roads remained jammed as thousands of people, including women and children came out of homes to mark the day with national spirit.
Children were wearing green-white costumes and began playing traditional patriotic songs since August 13. Patriotic zeal went on unfazed amid beefed up security arrangements.
With the clock struck 12, the nationwide celebrations began. Firecrackers illuminated the horizon.
Youth took to the streets on bikes to throng to different areas especially the seaside to take part in the jubilations. A youth lost his life whereas several others sustained injuries during celebratory fireworks.
The traders said sale of national flags, buntings, green and white T-shirts, wristbands, hair bands, trousers, masks, balloons, bracelets, bangles, cakes, badges, ornaments, audio and video CDs of patriotic songs and other celebration related items remained high this year.
Political and religious parties, including Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Jamaat-e-Islami, Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and others extended their greetings to entire nation on the Independence Day and urged that every Pakistani has to play his role to make a Pakistan a great egalitarian role-model Muslim country as per the vision of our founding fathers.
A disordered vehicular traffic created a massive gridlock especially on M.A. Jinnah Road, Sharea Faisal, Sea View, Hawkesbay, Zoological Garden and other celebration spots. Traffic police failed to manage the flood of vehicles. Wrong way traffic was one of the key reasons behind gridlock in almost every part of the city. Authorities had to intervene to hold back hundreds of visitors at the main entrance of Mazar-e-Quaid due to overcrowded premises.
Trucks, vans and buses decorated with national flags and buntings played loud national and traditional songs that attracted multitudes of people on roads especially the youth to dance and enjoy celebrations. Scores of roadside stalls to sell flags, badges, face paintings; stickers and gorgeous items were set up.
Markets and public places became source of attraction to the people with beautiful decorations, illuminations and big flags.
Various government and private organizations also organized events to mark the Independence Day.
Newspapers published special supplements while TV channels and Radio Pakistan aired special programs in commemoration of Pakistan Independence Day.
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