Nation celebrates Pakistan Day today

ISLAMABAD, March 22: The nation will celebrate the 76th anniversary of Pakistan Day on Wednesday against a backdrop of impressive successes by the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism that have greatly improved the security environment in the country, paving the way for economic recovery and political stability.The traditional military parade will be the hallmark of celebrations. The parade will be held at Parade Ground near Shakarparian in Islamabad which is eagerly awaited.
The March 23 marks the historic day in 1940 when the Lahore Resolution was passed demanding a separate homeland for Muslims living in the Subcontinent. The nation will renew the pledge to defeat the forces of extremism and terrorism and work hard for the progress, prosperity and stability of the country. The day will dawn with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals. Special prayers will be offered in mosques after morning prayers for the integrity and solidarity of the country. It will be a public holiday and national flag will hoist atop all government buildings.
A change of guard ceremony will be held at the mausoleum of national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore in the morning. Various political, social, religious and literary organisations will arrange functions to highlight importance of the Pakistan Resolution that paved the way for the creation of an independent homeland for the Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent.
Photo exhibitions will be also arranged at the arts galleries in different cities depicting different aspects of Independence Movement and photographs of the founding fathers. The day will also be celebrated with traditional zeal and enthusiasm in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pakistan Day functions will be held at Pakistani missions abroad where ambassadors and high commissioners will unfurl the national flag and read out the messages of the president and prime minister.
Radio Pakistan, PTV and other electronic channels will broadcast special programmes on the occasion while newspapers will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.-Agencies