Ignoring the slow pace of Ramadan, citizens flocked roads and recreational places to make the most of a weekly and national holiday. Canal Road, The Mall, Ferozepur Road, Race Course Park, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore Zoo, Model Town Park and other parks appeared flooded by vehicles and people.
Youngsters on motorcycles and cars with flags in their hands took over the roads and gave the city a look of a grand festival. Contrary to roads, families preferred visiting parks. Muhammad Anjum, enjoying a picnic with his family at Lahore Zoo, said he was forced by his children to go for an outing. He said roads were filled with motorists and bikers because of Independence Day, therefore, he brought his children and wife to Lahore Zoo.
Sales of festivity-related items such as horns and balloons remained high. People got their faces painted with flag designs, as face painting stalls were established near parks and other crowded places. On all major roads of the city, there were lines of vendors selling horns, which were of special attraction for bikers and children.
Independence Day was also observed with the same patriotic zeal and zest in the virtual world of Internet and cellular networks. Mobile phone networks were buzzed by heavy traffic, as people were sending Independence Day messages and wishing each other on phones calls. People also gave social networking sites a green look, as most users had put flags as their display pictures.
Citizens also questioned threats posed to the existence and freedom of the country by the energy crisis, terrorism and poverty.
