The nation will be celebrating its 65th Independence Day today with a resolve to make Pakistan a strong, prosperous and forward looking country in accordance with the vision of the Father-of-the-Nation. The main event of the day will be the flag-hoisting ceremony in the federal capital. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will unfurl the national flag.
Similar functions will also be held in the four provincial capitals, besides AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. The provincial chief ministers, AJK premier and Gilgit Baltistan CM will unfurl the national flag in their respective capitals. The Day will dawn with special prayers, in the mosques, for the country's progress and prosperity. Independence Day celebrations will begin with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. At 7.58 am, all vehicular traffic will stop for two minutes with the sounding of sirens, and national anthem will be played at 8 am.
A number of social, cultural, educational and non-governmental organisations have chalked out various programmes to highlight the life and achievements of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, significance of the national ideology and the Pakistan Movement. Newspapers will bring out special supplements while Radio Pakistan and TV channels would present special programmes with reference to Independence Day celebrations.
Political parties have also chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the Day in a befitting manner. The PML-N will hold functions across the country to celebrate the Independence Day with great enthusiasm. The main function of the PML-N will be held in Lahore at Hazoori Bagh, which will be addressed by the PML-N President Nawaz Sharif.
In his address, Nawaz Sharif will give the message to the nation to renew its pledge and light up lamps of hope and shine, a PML-N leader said. In spite of Ramazan, people have been showing keen interest in Independence Day celebrations. Stalls of badges, stickers, national flags, buntings and posters have been set up in various parts of the country. In Lahore, the main buildings including Wapda House, State Bank, Punjab Assembly, Civil Secretariat, Railway Station, High Court have been illuminated while National flags are flying high on rooftops.
Analysts believe that the country is facing manifold challenges and the Pakistani nation needs to make a firm resolve of utilising all capabilities and energies for the betterment of the country. They said that Quaid-e-Azam envisioned Pakistan as a moderate progressive Islamic state, and the people have to take forward this vision by rejecting terrorism, intolerance and extremism. A central leader of PML-N, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif MNA, has said that PML-N will celebrate Independence Day as the start of a "new morning."
He said the rulers have disappointed the nation, and PML-N would pledge the determination of bringing the nation out of disappointment, and start a journey towards brightness. Hamza said that this year Independence Day is being celebrated in the holy month of Ramazan "and we must pray to Almighty Allah to make this month a source of ending the problems of the beloved country".