ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is celebrating its 79th Independence Day across the country with national enthusiasm and fervour, with gun salutes marking the start of the day and special prayers offered after Fajr for the country’s progress, unity, peace and prosperity.
In Karachi, a ceremonial changing of the guard was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to mark Independence Day. Smartly turned-out cadets of the Pakistan Naval Academy assumed duties as the ceremonial guards.
Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Rear Admiral Muhammad Umair, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, laid a floral wreath at the Quaid’s mausoleum and offered Fateha.
Earlier, the day began with 21-gun salutes in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
Independence Day celebrations began across the country as the clock struck midnight. Cities, streets and neighbourhoods were decorated in the colours of the national flag.
Illuminations and fireworks displays were held in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Multan, as well as other parts of the country. Citizens took to the streets to celebrate Independence Day, while rallies were also held at various locations.
In Lahore, spectacular fireworks displays were held at Greater Iqbal Park and Liberty Chowk. Fireworks were also staged in other cities.
Dar Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Pakistan’s Sovereignty, Integrity
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar congratulated the nation on the 79th Independence Day and said the occasion was an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
He extended greetings to people in Pakistan and compatriots living abroad, saying that the nation paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam’s vision and saluted the leaders and workers of the Pakistan Movement.
Balochistan CM Offers Talks on Independence Day
An early-morning flag-hoisting ceremony was held on the lawn of the Balochistan Assembly in Quetta.
Addressing the ceremony, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said Pakistan was created through the sacrifices of the elders and that those seeking to break it through force were “living in a fool’s paradise”.
Addressing certain Baloch groups, Bugti said he was offering them talks on the occasion of Independence Day, adding that many problems around the world had been resolved through dialogue.
He appealed to the groups to abandon the path of terrorism and return, saying that “our doors are always open”.
The chief minister said Pakistan was a nuclear-armed country and the world was now looking towards it. He added that the state would take action against those disturbing peace and engaging in terrorism.
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‘True Freedom Lies in Respect for People’s Mandate’
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi congratulated the nation on Independence Day and said true freedom lay in the supremacy of the Constitution, respect for the people’s mandate and economic self-reliance.
He also paid tribute to the martyrs of the freedom movement and those who sacrificed their lives in defence of the country.
Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, meanwhile, said Independence Day was not merely about celebrations.
He said people must remember why independence from the British had been sought when they had provided roads, drains, a police system and an “excellent judicial system”. He said the actual objective was to secure the right to govern.
“We secured the right to govern from the British, but unfortunately, we could not give this right to our own people,” Achakzai said. “True freedom will come when the provinces and the people here are genuinely free.”
