Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday hoisted the national flag at the Convention Centre at an impressive ceremony to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan.
The sound of the trumpet heralded the arrival of the prime minister at the main hall of the Convention Centre decorated with green and white buntings. Senate Chairman Farooq H Naek, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, Senate Deputy Chairman Jan Muhammad Jamali, Interior Minister A Rehman Malik, Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, the services chiefs, parliamentarians, members of diplomatic corps and high-ranking military and civil officers were among the guests.
Hundreds of schoolchildren waved the national flags and cheered during the ceremony. The ceremony began at 9am with the sound of the sirens that were blown across the country, prompting all to stand up, raise the national flag and sing the national anthem. Prime Minister Gilani hoisted the national flag as a large group of schoolchildren sang the national anthem. The audience joined them in a show of unity and love for the country.
The ceremony was broadcast live by Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan. An international award-winning female student recited verses from the holy Quran, followed by Naat by young but famous Farhan Ali Qadri. The prime minister in his 20-minute address to the nation discussed all the issues of national importance. Clad in colourful national and regional dresses, male and female college students sang national songs and performed folk dances of the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
The audience enjoyed the performance and acknowledged the artistic talent of youngsters with a loud applause. The prime minister joined the young students on the stage for a photograph, which was a pleasant experience for the budding singers and performers. The closing part of the ceremony was the meticulous performance of the army’s air defence band which played the national anthem. Before leaving the venue, the prime minister shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the guests.
