Thursday, August 13, 2009

Pakistan's 63rd Independence Day celebrations begin



ISLAMABAD : The nation would celebrate its 63rd Independence Day on Friday with great zeal, enthusiasm and renewed commitment to make Pakistan strong, progressive and prosperous.

It will be a public holiday. 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. At 7.58 am, all vehicular traffic will stop for two minutes with the sounding of sirens and national anthem will be played at 8:00 am.

A change of the guard ceremony at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's founder, in Karachi would also take place.

A number of events have been chalked out to celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner and pay homage to those, who laid down their lives to create an independent motherland for the coming generations.

The main event of the day will be a flag-hoisting ceremony in the Capital. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will unfurl the national flag.

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 colours.

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.

To mark the occasion in a befitting manner, the electronic and print media have planned comprehensive programmes. The electronic media would present various programmes including national songs, talk shows, dramas and children programmes.

While the print media would carry out special supplements, features and articles, highlighting the importance of the day and sacrifices rendered by heroes and nation's forefathers for it.

Rallies, processions and colorful functions under the aegis of various public and private sector, social and political organizations in all small and major towns and cities of the country will be the hallmark of the day.

In these programmes, the speakers would highlight the significance of the day, goals set for the future and in words of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam bring "Unity, Faith and Discipline" to its people.

In the Federal Capital the main celebrations include flag hoisting ceremony at the premises of Lok Virsa, while the artisans would display their work, folk music performances at open air theater, photographic exhibition will be the other major features of the day.

The Heritage Museum will remain open to public from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 pm for local and foreign visitors.

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