LAHORE – The 62nd Independence Day is being celebrated today (Friday) across the country with great fervour, enthusiasm and renewed pledge by the masses to work for a progressive and prosperous Pakistan.
The day will dawn in provincial metropolis offering special prayers after Fajr prayers for the development, stability, prosperity and progress of the motherland in various mosques.
Minorities will also offer special prayers for the betterment of the country here.
One of the important ceremonies of changing of guards at the Mazar of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal will be held paying special tributes to the great poet followed by Quran Khawani early in the morning.
All the moving traffic (road, rail and sea) will be stopped for one minute throughout the country on Friday at 8:58 am with the sounding of sirens to herald the flag hoisting ceremony at 9 am.
Other impressive flag hoisting ceremonies of the day will also be organised in various offices of the officials throughout the metropolitan.
Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif will attend a flag hoisting ceremony at Hazoori Bagh near Shahi Qila while the Governor Punjab Salman Taseer will also attend a flag-hoisting ceremony at GovernorÂ’s House.
The members of provincial Cabinet and Assembly will also attend the different ceremonies being organised in the City by various groups of civil society.
Armed forces will join the nation in the celebrations of 62nd Independence Day while the Capital Police, Rescue 1122 service and City Traffic Police will also organise Independence Day celebrations throughout Punjab.
A huge ceremony will also be organised at Wahga Border where a handmade map of entire Pakistan representing the four Capitals, mud made statues of Mazar-e-Quaid, Mazar-e-Iqbal, Badshahi Mosque will also add enthusiasm to the fervour of enthusiastic Pakistanis.
All the educational institutions including PU, GC University, UET, Government College Lahore, Lahore College for Women, Diyal Singh College, MAO College and other institutions although will remain closed as public holiday but their managements will hold Independence Day functions and Jashn-e-Azadi Shows in which students will participate in large numbers.
The number of organisations will also conduct different seminars, speeches, conferences, declamation contests, symposium and quiz contests in all parts of the country to highlight the Pakistan Movement.
Sports events by different organisations, schools and colleges will be organised in the City.
The different houses of officials including the CM house, Governor House, civil servants buildings, Punjab Assembly, various shrines including Data Darbar, the shrine of Waris Shah, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Minar-e-Pakistan, Alhamra Arts Council, Aiwan-i-Iqbal, Aiwan-e-Karkunan, WAPDA House, Punjab Complex, Gaddaffi Stadium have beautifully illuminated to highlight the importance of the day.
The museums of the Metropolitan, galleries and other exhibition centers have been decorated with national flags. Reportedly, the people living in other cities, towns and villages have also decorated their houses with national flags and colourful buntings and photographs of national heroes.
The roads and streets have been decorated with national streamers in commemoration of Independence Day. The Lahorites living abroad will also celebrate 62nd birthday of Pakistan with traditional fervour and festivity.
DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta said that numerous rehearsals were held to make the Independence ceremonies perfect. He said that national flag would be raised at each house of the City on this great day.
Talking about the security arrangements, an official said silencer-less motorcyclists would be tackled with iron hand, adding, the safety measures were taken to keep the sanctity of the day. It is pertinent to mention here that almost all the media channels including all the stations of Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television, Waqt News and other will broadcast a series of patriotic songs including national anthem.
Special programmes will also be presented to commemorate the Independence Day.