ISLAMABAD (APP) – The nation is celebrating 70th Independence Day today (Sunday) with a renewed pledge to safeguard the motherland against any threat and make it a true Islamic welfare state as envisioned by its founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The day dawned with 31 gun salute in the federal and 21 gun salute in the provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered for prosperity, integrity and solidarity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah and success of the long drawn struggle of Kashmiris after Fajr prayers.
The main event of the day will be a flag hoisting ceremony at Convention Center in Islamabad where President Mamnoon Hussain will be the chief guest. He will address the nation on the occasion.
Flag hoisting ceremonies would also be held at the provincial capitals and district headquarters besides other important national institutions.
Meanwhile, all major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been tastefully decorated with illuminations, national flags, portraits of the national leaders, banners and buntings giving a festive look.
LAHORE
A simple but graceful Change of Guard ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Iqbal on Sunday morning.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army took charge as guards of the Mazaar from Punjab Rangers.
Garrison Commander Maj General Tariq Aman was chief guest on the occasion.
KARACHI
And in Karachi, a change of guard ceremony was also held on Sunday morning in which a contingent of Pakistan Navy took the command of the Mazaar-e-Quaid.
FIREWORKS
The celebrations of Independence Day officially began with fireworks at parade ground Shakarparian in Islamabad midnight last night.
The ground and surrounding areas were lit with thousands of colourful fireworks and lights.
Thousands of citizens of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad witnessed the great firework.
