As Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day comes around, Pakistanis across the country flock to stalls and vendors to buy national flags of different shapes and sizes to show their patriotic fervour.
The show of patriotism doesn’t end with flags ─ shirts, dresses, balloons and badges, as well as other memorabilia bedecked in the hallmark green and white, emblazoned with the national flag, are a hot commodity as citizens throng the markets, surveying the colourful and quirky offerings.
In big and small cities throughout the country, the streets are full of national fervour as people buy patriotic merchandise from the dozens of vendors that have set up shop.
People of all age groups are busy buying flags and clothing apparel that shows off their love for Pakistan.
View of a Lahore road ahead of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Anticipating high demand, vendors started selling Independence Day products as soon as the month of August began.
Thousands of citizens from Rawalpindi and Islamabad witnessed the great firework.
The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal and 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered for prosperity, integrity and solidarity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah and success of the long drawn struggle of Kashmiris after Fajr prayers.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly illuminated as a part of Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations.
The main event of the day was a flag hoisting ceremony at Convention Center in Islamabad where President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest.
He also addressed the nation on the occasion.
Flag hoisting ceremonies would also be held at the provincial capitals and district headquarters beside other important national institutions.
Meanwhile, all major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been tastefully decorated with illuminations, national flags, portraits of the national leaders, banners and buntings giving a festive look.
A simple but graceful change of guard ceremony was held at Iqbal mausoleum.
Meanwhile, in Karachi, a change of guard ceremony was also held in which a contingent of Pakistan Navy took the command of Quaid’s mausoleum.
Pakistan Naval Academy commandant Commodore Adnan Ahmad was the chief guest in the ceremony.
Security across the country has been tightened whereas mobile phone services have also been suspended.
