I-Day festivities to be simple for floods

Staff Report

LAHORE: The 56th independence day of Pakistan will be celebrated simply on Thursday (today) to express solidarity with the flood victims of Sindh and Balochistan and there will be a national holiday on August 14, a government spokesman said.

The day will start with recitation from the Holy Quran in all mosques followed by special prayers for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country. A military detachment will offer the traditional 21-gun salute at the Fortress Stadium. The Punjab Rangers will hoist Pakistan’s flag at a ceremony at the Wagah border.

Later in the day, the Sutlej Rangers will mount guard at the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who first envisioned a separate country for the Muslims of sub-continent. Punjab Governor Lt Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool will lay a floral wreath at his mausoleum.

In the evening, Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Zarrar Azim will host a reception for serving and retired army officers.

Other events of the day will include Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi hoisting the national flag at the Alamgiri Gate and later laying a floral wreath at Iqbal’s mausoleum. The Iqbal Academy of Pakistan will hold an exhibition of books at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal and books will be sold at a 50 percent discount. Documentary films on Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal against the backdrop of the Pakistan Movement will also be shown on multi-media projectors. Iqbal’s memorabilia will also be displayed. A flag-hoisting ceremony will also be held at the house of Iqbal at 116 McLeod Road.

Federal Information and Technology Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari will inaugurate the Independence Day Cup at the Race Club and WAPDA Chairman Lt General (r) Zulfiqar Ali Khan will hoist the national flag at the WAPDA House in the presence of senior WAPDA officials.

The Pakistan Railways’ special Madar-e-Millat train will leave from Rawalpindi on its 29-day countrywide journey. Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali will inaugurate the train.

In his Independence Day message, the Punjab governor said, “We need to fight poverty and disease to make Pakistan a welfare state as envisioned by the founder of Pakistan.” He also paid tribute to people who scarified their lives for the cause of Pakistan during the Pakistan Movement.

Various political and social organisations will hold gatherings to celebrate the day. A flag-hoisting ceremony will be held at the Nazria Pakistan Foundation.

Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television will show special programmes while newspapers will publish supplements. A flag-hoisting ceremony will be held at the District Courts under the auspices of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the bar president will be the chief guest.

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