The citizens, particularly youngsters, thronged all the main avenues of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to celebrate the day of their country with zeal and zest on Sunday.
The youngsters adopted unethical ways to celebrate the event and made impossible for the people to travel on the city roads. They showed dangerous stunts on bikes, irking pedestrians and motorists. A large number of motorcyclists blocked the city roads while dancing on music on different city roads. A spokesman for Islamabad police told Pakistan Today that more than 50 youngsters had been on the charge of one-wheeling on the capital’s roads. He, however, added no FIR had been registered against them.
According to the traffic police, more than 15 youngsters got injured in toad incidents. Strict security measures were taken by the city police and other law-enforcement agencies to thwart any possible terrorist attack. Police personnel were deployed at all public places. The Rawalpindi police was also put on high alert for the day.
The day began with special prayers in mosques for the unity, solidarity and prosperity of the country. The celebrations started with a 31-gun salute at the federal capital. Quran-khawani was also held for the martyrs of the Pakistan Movement. Many private and government buildings, including the Parliament House and the Presidency, were beautifully illuminated, but a few people across the city decorated their houses, shopping centres and offices with national flags, banners, lightings, paintings and balloons.
However, some educational institutions in both the cities were open to celebrate the Independence Day. All the parks of the capital were packed to their capacity as after the sunset a large number of families left their houses to enjoy decoration and illumination at important buildings. “We come out to enjoy illuminations and decoration at the events like the Independence Day and Eid Milad-un-Nabi,” said Shafiq Hussain, a resident of G/8.
Minorities also marked the day without any discrimination. Scores of Kachi Abadis were also decorated with beautiful lights and buntings. There was a great hustle and bustle in the slum areas; children hoisted Pakistan’s flags at their bicycles, homes and fired crackers.