Pakistan. Nation celebrating 68th Independence Day

ISLAMABAD (BMZ REPORT )

The nation is celebrating the 68th Independence Day today (Thursday) with enthusiasm and commitment to nation building as envisioned by the Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals.

Special prayers were offered for the prosperity, integrity and solidarity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah and for the success of the long-drawn struggle of Kashmiris.

There is be a public holiday throughout the country today .The traditional, flag-hoisting ceremony will be held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad where President Mamnoon Hussain will hoist the national flag.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will also be present on the occasion.The ceremony will be attended by the services chiefs, foreign ambassadors, members of parliament and other key personalities of the country.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies will also be held at provincial capitals and district headquarters besides other important national institutions.

A host of events, including seminars, conferences, lectures, debates, speech contests, exhibitions, quiz competitions, stage dramas and Mushairas, have been arranged by different organisations in connection with the day.

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.Meanwhile, preparations to celebrate the day reached its peak, and people, especially children, enthusiastically purchased the national flags, bunting, posters, stickers and candles to decorate their homes.