Pakistanis within and outside of the country on Tuesday celebrated 60th Independence Day of the country with zeal and fervour and a renewed commitment to make motherland prosperous, harmonious and invincible.
Number of events were organised to celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner and pay homage to those who laid down their lives to create an independent country for the coming generation.
Special prayers were offered for well being, prosperity and a strong Pakistan as the day dawned with 31 guns salute in the federal capital and 21 guns salute at all provincial capitals. Various political, social and cultural organisations held meetings, seminars and rallies on the Day highlighting its significance with special reference to the liberation of South Asian Muslims from British imperialism and Hindu dominance.
Pakistan emerged as an independent state on the world map on 14 August 1947 and made tremendous progress in various fields over the last six decades and is considered one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.
People from all age groups shared the celebrations of Independence Day to mark the happiest moment of the history when Muslims of the Sub-continent succeeded in achieving a separate motherland for themselves under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Main event of the Day was flag hoisting ceremony held in federal capital where Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz addressed the participants and renewed the pledge to make country's defence invincible.
He urged the nation to stand united to meet the challenges ahead particularly the youth to play their vital role in nation building. President General Pervez Musharraf hosted a reception for senior serving and retired armed forces officers and junior commissioned officers.
The President, in his address, dwelt on issues of national and international importance and said, armed forces were guarantors of peace, stability and integrity of the country. Similar ceremonies were held at the provincial headquarters where Governors and Chief Minister hoisted the national flags in Separately, organised ceremonies and pledged a strong and prosperous Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi hoisted the national flag at Alamgiri Gate of the historic Lahore Fort in presence of members of the Punjab Cabinet, senior citizens and notables of the city.
He also laid wreath at the mazar of Poet of the East, Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal. DG Rangers Punjab Major General Haroon Aslam also laid a wreath at Mazar-e-Iqbal. Earlier, he hoisted the national flag at Wagha border joint check-post. National flag hoisting ceremony was also held at the military formation headquarters and units of the garrison. In Karachi, Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad performed the flag hoisting ceremony at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
Accompanied by Sindh Cabinet members and senior officials of Sindh Government, the Governor laid wreath on the mausoleum and offered fateha. Governor Ishrat-ul-Ibad also met the groups of children singing national songs and exchanged independence greetings with them. In Peshawar, Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani hoisted the national flag at a well-attended ceremony as the district government distributed meals among the people. Special prayers were offered for peace and stability of the country.
In Quetta, Speaker Balochistan Assembly Jamal Shah Kakar hoisted national flag at the provincial assembly building and called for more commitment and devotion to forge unity and make Pakistan stronger. Special cash prizes were announced for the children presenting national songs as people from various walks of life throng to attend the ceremony.