ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated the 65th Independence Day on Tuesday with a pledge to working for the progress and prosperity of the country and strengthening democracy.
The day dawned with 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. A smartly-dressed contingent of the Pakistan Naval Academy took over guard duty at a change of guard ceremony at Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi in the morning. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah were the chief guests. In Lahore, a special flag-hoisting ceremony was held at Wagah border.
The Punjab Rangers unfurled the Pakistan flag. A large number of people attended the ceremony and chanted slogans and sang national songs to express their love for the country. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the mausoleum of Allam Iqbal to pay homage to the national poet. In Peshawar‚ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti hoisted the flag at Police Lines. – PT
