ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The nation is celebrating the 68th Independence Day of Pakistan on Thursday (today) with enthusiasm and commitment to safeguard the country against any threat and rededication towards nation building as per the vision of the founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered at mosques after Fajr prayer for peace, progress and prosperity of the country and liberation of Kashmir and Palestine.
The main flag hoisting ceremony was aheld at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad where President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hoisted the national flag. The ceremony was attended by the cabinet members, elected representatives, services chiefs and other senior civil and military officials.
The flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at the provincial capitals, district headquarters and other important national institutions.
A host of events including seminars, conferences, lectures, debates, speech contests, exhibitions, quiz competitions, stage dramas and Mushairas have been arranged by different organizations.
All the major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been decorated with illuminations, national flags, portraits of the national leaders, banners and buntings.