KARACHI: Nation is celebrating the 64th Independence Day of Pakistan today (Sunday), with renewing the commitment to keep Pakistan prosperous and strong, SAMAA reported late Saturday. In line with tradition, the day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Celebrations will begin with a 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21-gun salute in all the four provincial capitals.
The change of the guard ceremony at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founder, in Karachi would also take place in the morning.
A number of events have been chalked out to celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner and to pay homage to those, who laid down their lives to create an independent homeland for the coming generations.
All the government and private buildings have been illuminated. People, all over the country, have decorated their houses, shopping centers and offices with national flags, banners, lightings, paintings and balloons in green and white colours.
All the political parties are all set to celebrate the historic day in a dignified manner by hoisting national and party flags.
To mark the occasion in a befitting manner, the electronic, print and online media have planned comprehensive programmes.
Meanwhile, in his message, President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated nation on the eve of 64th Independence Day.
Addressing the gathering of Independence Day’s ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President said Pakistan’s foundation was laid down on ‘democracy’ and ‘dialogue’.
“All forces – political, non-political, civil and military – will have to join hands to strengthen Pakistan,” he proposed.
“I am inviting once again all political groups to come, sit together and hold dialogue to resolve standing issues,” he said.
Pakistan will have to prevent its forthcoming generation from the virus of terrorism, he said adding that war on terrorism is a combat being fought against an ideology.
Moreover, President Zardari, greeting nation on Independence Day, pledged to do whatever it takes to make Pakistan prosperous and stronger.
My country and my nation will get its glory which it deserves, president vowed.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, greeting the nation, has said that the 14th of August is an historic day when under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Muslims of the sub-continent added a glorious chapter of sacrifice, commitment and self-less devotion to the annals of history.
In a message prime minister said that the establishment of Pakistan was a culmination of the Muslims’ relentless political and constitutional struggle to preserve their cultural identity, heritage, civilization including the protection of their political and economic rights.
The tyrannical opposition of the Indian National Congress and the British could not deter the Muslims from realizing the dream of Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal for an independent state where they could live their life at individual and collective levels according to their traditions.
He said that it is a matter of immense pride that Pakistan came into being as a result of democratic, political and constitutional struggle and Pakistan’s future lies in democracy and representative rule
Prime minister said I would like to congratulate the people of Pakistan and the expatriate community living abroad on the Independence Day.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani has said that Pakistan is facing many challenges at this point of time, vowing that armed forces will leave no stone unturned to defend Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s armed forces are well capable of defending dear motherland Pakistan. Islam is a great religion and it is a religion of peace and brotherhood, he maintained.