- I-Day starts with special prayers for unity and prosperity
- Change of guards event held at Jinnah, Iqbal’s mausoleums
The nation on Monday celebrated the 70th Independence Day with national zeal and solemnity across the country.
The day began with special prayers in the mosques for unity, solidarity and prosperity of the country. An impressive change of the guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
A smartly-turned out contingent of the Pakistan Naval Academy assumed the ceremonial guards duty. President Mamnoon Hussain hoisted the national flag in a dignified ceremony held here to mark the celebrations of Independence Day.
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq laid floral wreath at the monument of martyrs of democracy in Islamabad as part of the Independence Day celebrations. In Karachi, Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah attended the flag hoisting ceremony at the Mazar-e-Quaid.
In Lahore, a simple but graceful change of guards ceremony was held at the Mazar-e-Iqbal, in which army jawans took over the guard’s duty from the Punjab Rangers. In Peshawar, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak hoisted the national flag. Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri and Speaker Raheela Hameed Durrani hoisted national flag in the premises of the Balochistan Assembly.
Special programmes have been organised in different cities to celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner. All the major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been decorated with illuminations, national flags, portraits of the national leaders, banners and buntings to give a festive look.
