Pakistan marks 62nd Independence Day

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 14 -- Pakistan Friday celebrated its 62nd Independence Day with traditional zeal and fervor and firm determination to safeguard security and solidarity of the country in the face of diverse challenges, local TV channels reported.President Asif Ali Zardari in a message to the nation on Independence day urged the nation to adhere to principles of democracy and human rights to banish dictatorship, militancy and extremism and provide economic opportunities for all in the country. He said "we should also rededicate ourselves to uphold the principles for which Pakistan was created."Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani unfurled the national flag in Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. When addressing the gathering, he said terrorism and extremism are the biggest challenges to Pakistan, and the country also faces economy and energy crisis. Gilani said the government's priority is economic growth and there is a need to create harmony in Pakistani society.It is a public holiday. With the dawn of this day, special prayers were held in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country. Celebrations began with a 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital Islamabad and 21-gun salute in all the four provincial capitals. At 0158 GMT, all vehicular traffic stopped for two minutes with the sounding of sirens and national anthem played at 0200GMT.A change of the guard ceremony at the mausoleum of Pakistan's founder Quaid-e-Mohammed Ali Jinnah also took place in southern Pakistan's city of Karachi, where a contingent of Pakistan Naval Academy assumed charge of the guard. Later, the Naval Academy Commandant laid wreath on the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan and offered "Fateha" for the salvation of the soul of the great leader of Muslims of sub-continent.The Independence Day celebrations, which kicked off midnight Thursday rose to it height this morning, which would continue for the whole day, as the ruling Pakistan People's Party as well as other major political parties are all set to celebrate the historic day in a dignified manner by hoisting national and party flags, while the electronic and print media have planned comprehensive programs.Keeping alive previous traditions, 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, particularly in green and white colors. Pakistani police and other law-enforcement agencies put security on high alert to avert any terror strike on the independence day. Police sources said a heavy contingent of security officials had been deployed at sensitive points in cantonment areas and international hotels in the capital of Islamabad and the garrison city Rawalpindi.Pakistan's Independence Day is observed on Aug. 14, the day on which Pakistan became independent from the British rule in 1947.