The 66th Independence Day was celebrated on Tuesday with fervour and a renewed pledge to work for the country's progress and prosperity. The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute at all provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered for the prosperity‚ integrity and solidarity of the country.
Flag-hoisting ceremonies were held across the country where participants expressed their resolve to work for the country's betterment, setting aside all petty differences. TV channels presented special programmes, highlighting the importance of the Independence Day while newspapers brought out special supplements.
In Lahore‚ Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif hoisted the national flag at a special ceremony held at the Alamgiri Gate in front of the Lahore Fort. The ceremony was attended by a large number of scouts and school children‚ who sang national songs. At the Wagha border crossing‚ Punjab Rangers unfurled the Pakistan flag. A large number of people attended the ceremony.
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa and Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal separately to pay homage to the national poet. They also laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha. Flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held in educational institutions, Lahore High Court, Punjab Assembly and elsewhere. The Independence Day was also celebrated by Pakistani missions abroad‚ including Saudi Arabia‚ China‚ India‚ Turkey and Sri Lanka. Moreover, young people marked the 66th anniversary of the Independence Day in their traditional way, as the youth moved with noisy, rash and one-wheel drives on the city roads on their motorbikes.
Besides, private buildings, all government offices were decorated with colourful illumination, buntings, banners and national flags. Buildings of the Punjab Assembly, Wapda House, Lahore High Court, GPO, Jinnah Hall, Lahore Museum, Punjab University and other buildings were gracefully decorated. More than 8,000 security personnel were deputed on official buildings and roads to check all unlawful activities.
Meanwhile, an air-show was held at the Minar-e-Pakistan. As many as 400 national volunteers along with police personnel performed security duties on this occasion. Entry of public at Minar-e-Pakistan was restricted which caused widespread disappointment.