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Independence

Day celebrations

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan's Armed Forces bowed their heads along with the nation to Almighty Allah to celebrate the 49th Independence Day with traditional fervour, enthusiasm and military decorum throughout the country, says an ISPR press release.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun gun salutes in the four provincial capitals. After the Fajr prayers, officers and Jawans offered special "Duaa" at the unit mosques for the progress and prosperity of the motherland. The Commanding Officers highlighted the importance of the Independence Day and paid glowing tributes to the martyrs and fighters of the Pakistan Movement at special gatherings held at all the army units. The Independence Day message of General Abdul Waheed, Chief of the Army Staff, was also read out on the occasion.

The National Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at the Joint Staff Headquarters, Services Headquarters, Formation Headquarters, establishments, units and installations of all the three services.

At the Joint Staff Headquarters, Brig Abdul Rauf, Director Operations and Plans, hoisted the national flag, while at the General Headquarters Lt-Gen. Riaz Ahmed Chowhan, Surgeon General, Pakistan Army, hoisted the flag in front of the COAS Secretariat. At Corps Headquarters the flag-hoisting ceremony was performed by Brig Ashfaq Pervez Kiani, Chief of Staff of the Corps.

At the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad Capt. Ghulam Mohammad, Commanding Officers, PNS Zafar, hoisted the flag whereas at the Air Headquarters Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Farooq Qari, Deputy Chief of Air Staff Administration performed the ceremony.

In the afternoon, sports rallies, troops welfare 'melas' and many other such programmes were rounded off with traditional "Bara Khana" and illumination at military building and unity lines.

KARACHI

KARACHI: The 49th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

The day dawned with the 21-gun salute by the Naval batteries. Special prayers were offered for the peace in city besides prayers for progress and prosperity of the country.

Sindh Governor Kamal Azfar along with Sindh Chief Minister hoisted the national flag at the Quaid-e-Azam's Mazar. Sindh Ministers, advisers and other leaders besides city elite were also present.

Sindh Governor and Chief Minister later laid wreaths at the Mazar and offered Fateha.

Sindh Governor mixed freely with the children and other public present at the Quaid's Mazar.

KMC Administrator Fahim Zaman Khan also visited the Mazar, laid a wreath at on behalf of the citizens of Karachi.

Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at hundreds of schools of the Karachi region followed by programmes figuring national songs and speech contests. Sweets were also distributed among the school children.

A large number of social organisations and other NGOs also arranged Independence Day functions at scores of places all over the city.

A colourful programme for members and their families was arranged by the Governing body of the Karachi Press Club.

Prizes were distributed to the children in contests held in paitings, speech and sports events. Besides events for wives of the members in various fields were also held. A large number of members of KPC and their families attended the function with great enthusiasm.

KMC also arranged a fabulous fire work show at Hill Park.

Karachi city wore a festive look with countless number of buildings illuminated celebrations.

Besides the government buildings, private concerns and individuals profusely decorated their homes and offices with colourful lights. Some made national flag with the help of green and white lights which remained a great attraction for the people.

HYDERABAD

The people of Hyderabad and Latifabad sub-divisions celebrated the Independence Day on Monday with great fervour, enthusiasm and a renewed pledge to make the country strong, stable and free from terrorism.

The day began dawn with thanks giving prayers in all the mosques of Hyderabad City. Special Prayers were also offered for the integrity, solidarity, peace and tranquillity in the country.

SUKKUR

The Independence Day was celebrated with traditional warmth, jubilation, and with a solemn pledge to make the country socially, politically and economically stronger and viable.

The day began with the offering of special prayers and Quran Khawani in Sukkur city, Rohri and Panno Aqil Garrison. The biggest event of the day was hoisting ceremony of national flag at Muncipal Stadium, where the school boys and girls held a colourful and impressive march past, and gave a salute to the commissioner Sukkur Nisar Ahmed Siddiqi, who was the chief guest on the occasion.

LARKANA

The Independence Day was celebrated here on Monday throughout Larkana division with great zeal, fervour and festivity and a renewed pledge to safeguard freedom.

All the talukas and sub-divisional headquarters of the division were tastefully decorated with Pakistani flags and other multi-coloured buntings with national slogans inscribed on them.

The Day began with Special Prayers in all the places of worship in the division.

In the evening, illumination was arranged at the government and private buildings, national flags were also hoisted at public and private buildings throughout the division.

LAHORE

Ceremonial guard mounting by a contingent of the Pakistan Army at the Mazar of Allama Iqbal was one of the major events of the Independence Day celebrations here on Monday.

According to an ISPR press release the day-long celebrations began with thanks giving prayers after Fajr Prayer at the unit lines and mosques when the day dawned to 21-gun salute in the provincial metropolis.

This followed the colourful ceremoney of guard mounting at the Mazar of Allama Iqbal to pay homage to the thinker of the nation. The ceremony started at 7 a.m. when a smartly turned out contingent of a battalion of the Baloch Regiment formed up outside the Mazar. The contingent of Pakistan Rangers which perorms guard duties round the year, also took position alongside. Soon after, both the outgoing and incoming guards were inspected by Brig Shafaatullah Shah. Positions at the four corners of the Mazar, simulataneously, the rangers contingent was ceremoniously moved out by their officer incharge. After change of guard ceremony, floral wreath was laid at the Mazar on behalf of Pak Army.

National Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at the Formation Headquarters and units of the garrison.

Corps Commander, Lt-Gen Humayun Khan Bangash hosted a reception in evening.

The people in the Punjab capital celebrated the 48th Independence Day with traditional enthusiasm, renewing their pledge to make Pakistan an invincible and model Islamic state.

A 21-gun salute heralded the day in the provincial metropolis.

The faithful offering their Fajr prayers in the city mosques prayed for the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan, the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the establishment of a truly Islamic order in the country.

Prayers were also offered for the success of Kashmir Jehad and restoration of peace in Karachi and the liberation of Palestine.

The Punjab Chief Minister Manzoor Wattoo visited the Mazar of Allama Iqbal, laid a wreath and offered Fateha. Members of his cabinet also accompanied.

A simple but impressive flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Lahore High Court. Acting Chief Justice Mr. Justice Irshad Hasan Khan hoisted the national flag atop the High Court building.

The entire Lahore city was profusedly illuminated for the occasion.

Wapda employees celebrated the 49th Independence Day with great enthusiasm.

Chairman Wapda, Shams-ul-Mulk hoisted the Pakistan flag at Wapda House, Lahore in the presence of members of the authority, a large gathering of Wapda officers, field staff and members of their families and children from Wapda Schools.

FAISALABAD

The 49th Independence Day was celebrated with due festivity and renewed pledge to make Pakistan a true Islamic and democratic country.

The main flag hoisting ceremony was held at new Municipal Complex where provincial minister for social welfare Badaruddin Chudhery hoisted the national flag in an impressing function.

Deputy General Manager Faisalabad Telecommunication Region Ramzan Mujahid performed the flag hoisting ceremony at a simple but impressive function held at the GM office compound here.

NWFP

PESHAWAR: People of NWFP and adjoining areas celebrated the 49th Independence Day today with enthusiasm and fervour.

The day began with 21-gun salute in the provincial metropolis, special prayers were held in the morning in various mosques of the province for solidarity integrity, development and prosperity of the country.

The main Independence Day function organized by Municipal Corporation, Peshawar was held at Jinnah Park. The NWFP Chief Minister, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao who was the chief guest on the occasion performed the flag hoisting ceremony.

BALOCHISTAN

QUETTA: The day was celebrated throughout Balochistan with special prayers for the early liberation of occupied Kashmir, progress and prosperity of Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah.

A 21-guns salute boomed to herald the day followed by flag hoisting ceremony by Chief Minister Zulfiqar Ali Magsi in front of provincial assembly.

Acting Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Mr. Justice Amirul Mulk Mengal also hoisted the national flag in the premises of the High Court.