The 66th Independence Day of Pakistan is being celebrated today (Tuesday) with great enthusiasm and renewed commitment to make Pakistan strong, progressive and prosperous country in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and great philosopher and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal. The main event of the day will be a flag-hoisting ceremony in the federal capital. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf will unfurl the national flag.
The day will dawn with prayers for the country's progress and prosperity in mosques. Celebrations will begin with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. A number of social, cultural, political, educational and non-governmental organisations have chalked out various programmes to highlight the life and achievements of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, significance of the national ideology and the Pakistan Movement.
Television and radio channels will air special programmes, shows, documentaries. Newspapers will publish special supplements, features and articles, highlighting the importance of the day. The national flag is being hoisted on government and private buildings. The flag hoisting ceremonies will be held at provincial capitals. The Armed Forces are following their own programmes for the purpose. Various buildings have been illuminated.
The government is celebrating the day with an objective to promote the Quaid's message of faith, unity and discipline. Political agents in tribal areas and Pakistani missions abroad are also holding functions. Analysts said, "On this day we should resolve to make Pakistan a truly modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic country."
In Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif will hoist national flag at Alamgiri gate. Students would present national songs on the occasion. Earlier, he would visit Mazar-e-Iqbal and will also lay a floral wreath there. Moreover, Independence Day festivity has coloured the provincial metropolis with the stalls of national flags. Vendors have set up their stalls to sell flags and other products like bunties and other items which are attracting youth and children.