Pak army, nation celebrates Pakistan Day throughout country

Armed Forces of Pakistan alongside the entire nation celebrated the 64th Independence Day of Pakistan in simple way.

The day dawned with a 31 gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21 gun salute in the Provincial Capitals. Prayers were offered for the progress, solidarity and prosperity of Pakistan. Special prayers were also offered for flood affectees in all mosques of Formations, Units and Static Installations.

Main feature of the day was the national flag hoisting ceremonies at the Joint Staff Headquarters, General Headquarters, Services Headquarters, all Corps Headquarters, Formations, Static Installations and all units of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Messages of the Services Chiefs were read out to all ranks.

At the Joint Staff Headquarters, Brigadier Ozair Ahmed hoisted the national flag and the National Anthem was played.

At the General Headquarters, Major General Khalid Mehmood hoisted the national flag and the National Anthem was played.

Earlier at midnight on 13-14 August 2011, a spectacular Azadi parade was held at the elegantly lit drill square of Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was chief guest on the occasion.

A large number of people from all walks of life, senior serving and retired civil and military officials witnessed the spectacular parade at Pakistan Military Academy to mark the sixty fourth Independence Day.

Meanwhile Pakistan day was also celebrated throughout Azad Jammu and Kashmir with full enthusiasm and national sprit.

The day dawned in the state capital with 21-gun salute and special prayers were offered in mosques for the prosperity, stability and integrity of Pakistan and early liberation of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Flag hoisting ceremonies were held in all district headquarters of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In the state capital Muzaffarabad flag hoisting ceremony was held at President House. AJK President Raja Zulqernain Khan hoisted the National flag. The ceremony was attended by the AJK cabinet Ministers, high-ranking officials and notables of the city. Earlier sirens were sounded at 8.58 am and all kinds of traffic came to a standstill.

Meanwhile various political, social and literary organizations had chalked out colorful programmes to mark the day. Functions and seminars were held throughout the state to pay homage to the leaders of Pakistan movement for their services to carve out a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Meanwhile the change of Guards ceremony was held at the Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore on Sunday and a contingent of the Army assumed the Guards duty at the Mazar.

Flag hosting ceremony held at the mausoleum after which the Garrison Commander Major General Malik Zafar Iqbal laid floral wreath, offered Fateha and marked their impressions in the visitors’ book at the Mazar-e-Iqbal.

Strict security measures were taken during the ceremony and only media was allowed in the ceremony.

The Pakistan military band presented the lyrics of the national songs at the end of ceremony.
Meanwhile the 65th Independence Day was commemorated at Pakistan Embassy Ankara and the Ambassador of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat unfurled the national flag on the tune of national anthem in the presence of Pakistani community and Embassy officials. He read out the messages of the President and the Prime Minister on the occasion.

On the other hand’ the High Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistani community in Sri Lanka celebrated the 65th Independence Day with traditional fervor and resolve to make Pakistan a strong, dynamic progressive tolerant and democratic Islamic welfare state.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, H.E Seema Ilahi Baloch hoisted the national flag of Pakistan in an auspicious ceremony held at Pakistan High Commission here this morning to mark the occasion.

The 65th Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated at the premises of Embassy of Pakistan, Kabul in a simple and dignified manner, says a press release received here today from Kabul.

The ceremony was inaugurated with the recitation from the Holy Quran followed by playing of National Anthem and flag hoisting by Charge d’ Affaires Mansoor Ahmad Khan. The Independence Day messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out at this occasion.

Pakistan’s 65th Independence Day was celebrated at the Embassy of Pakistan here on Sunday with traditional zeal, says a press release received here from China.

An impressive ceremony attended by members of the Pakistani community as well as Embassy officials and students of Pakistan Embassy College, Ambassador Masood Khan hoisted the national flag and read out messages of President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Similar ceremonies were simultaneously held at the Consulates General in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong.

The 65th Pakistan Independence Day was celebrated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with great zeal and fervor on Sunday. Various functions were held in the main cities of the Kingdom, says a press release received here today from Jeddah.

The start of the day was solemnized with the recitation from the Holy Qurarn and flag hosting ceremonies simultaneously at Pakistan Embassy in Riayadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah. H.E the Ambassador Mr. Muhammad Naeem Khan unfurled the national flag at a largely attended function held in the Embassy at Riyadh. People from all walks of life witnessed the ceremony, Message of the President and Prime Minster were read out.

The members of Pakistani community in the UAE celebrated Pakistan Independence Day on Sunday with traditional fervour, enthusiasm and simplicity. The flag hoisting ceremony was held at the premises of Pakistan Embassy, Abu Dhabi at 0800 hours.
Ambassador of Pakistan in UAE, Mr. Jamil Ahmed Khan unfurled the National Flag in the presence of a large number of Pakistani community members, their families and Embassy officials, says a press release received here today from Dubai. SANA