The 65th Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated on Sunday by Kashmiris dwelling either side of the Line of Control and rest of the world with traditional zeal and fervour and renewal of the pledge to continue struggling for the freedom of occupied Kashmir from the Indian yoke and to reach the ultimate destination of accession of entire J&K state to Pakistan.
The day dawned with special prayers in the Mosques in both parts of the state-AJK and IHK-for the stability, prosperity, security and progress of the Islamic republic of Pakistan and for the early success of Kashmiris' indigenous struggle for freedom.
Since the day was observed with due enthusiasm and reverence, grand Pakistan national flag hoisting ceremonies, rallies, processions and colourful functions were held by various public and private sector, social and political organisations in all small and major towns and cities of AJK.
It was a public holiday across the liberated territory on this occasion.
The main national flag hoisting ceremony was held in the capital city of Muzafferabad while similar ceremonies were also held in all other nine district headquarters including Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh, Sudhanoti, Bhimbher, Rawalakot, Hattiyan, Havaili and Neelum valley.
A national flag hoisting ceremony to mark the day was held here under the auspices of National Events Organising Committee (NEOC) at the Municipal Corporation lawn where Commissioner of the division Dr Mahmood-ul-Hassan Raja, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Tayyeb Chaudhry unfurled the national flags of Pakistan and AJK.
SSP Ghulam Akber, Assistant Commissioner and Vice-Chairman NEOC Amjad Iqbal Chaudhry, City Administrator Raja Fiyaz Ahmed, Chief Officer Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Supreme Head Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran Sohail Shujah Mujahid, Vice Chairman National Events Organising Committee and ADC(G) Raja Saqib Munir, Secretary-General of the NEOC Altaf Hamid Rao and other city elite were also present on the occasion.
A contingent of police presented guard of honour besides saluting the national flag during the ceremony. Besides participants, the schoolchildren sang the national anthem to express their love and solidarity with Pakistan from the core of their heart.
The participants of the ceremony prayed for the safety, progress, prosperity and integrity of Pakistan and early success of the Kashmir freedom movement.
The national flag of Pakistan was also hoisted on all private and public buildings. A great enthusiasm was witnessed among the people including children who were found hectically busy in purchasing the national flags of Pakistan from bazaars for hoisting atop their houses and vehicles on the national day.