Nation celebrates 76th Pakistan Day today

The day will also be celebrated in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: The nation will celebrate the 76th Pakistan Day today  (Wednesday) with a renewed pledge to make the country stronger by eliminating terrorism and achieving sustainable economic growth and greater political stability.

The day, which marks the historic event in 1940 when the Lahore Resolution was passed demanding a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent, 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 for the integrity and solidarity of the country.

The traditional military parade will be the mega event of the Pakistan Day celebrations that will be held at the Parade Ground near the landmark Shakarparian hills in Islamabad.

Various political, social, religious, and literary organisations will arrange functions to highlight the importance of the Pakistan Resolution that paved the way for the creation of an independent homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent.

Photo exhibitions will be 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 also 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.

Foolproof security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident, besides a special traffic plan for the day in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2016.