City becomes a symphony in green and white

Locals come onto the streets in droves to mark 70th Independence Day

LAHORE: Lahorites came out in full force to celebrate Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day as the city remained a symphony in green on Monday.

Independence Day celebrations kicked off with special prayers at mosques after fajr for peace and prosperity of the country. The day dawned with a 21-Gun Salute by the Pakistan Army near Lahore Cantonment.



The main national flag hoisting ceremony was held at Hazuri Bagh. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the national flag while Lahore Lord Mayor Colonel (retd) Mubashir Javed, political leaders and senior government officials were present at the ceremony. After the event, Sharif visited Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum and offered Fateha.

Sharif later spoke to the media and said the annual balance sheet should be reviewed to see what the nation had lost and achieved. He urged countrymen to follow the sayings and teachings of Quaid-i-Azam, the father of the nation. He highlighted that the Quaid termed corruption as a poison in 1947. “On the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan, all citizens should vow to apply his sayings to their daily life,” he maintained.

An impressive guard mounting ceremony was also organised at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum in which a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army took over duties from Pakistan Rangers. Later, Lahore Garrison Commander Major General Muhammad Aamer laid a floral wreath at Iqbal’s mausoleum to pay respect and homage to the national poet and offered Fateha.

According to a press statement of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR, national flag hoisting ceremonies were held at all the formation headquarters and units of the Garrison. The flag was hoisted at Lahore Corps Headquarters by Brigadier Muhammad Shahab Aslam. Numerous flag hoisting ceremonies, I-Day rallies and walks were also held in different areas of the provincial capital.

A large number of citizens thronged public parks and food courts to celebrate Independence Day of Pakistan with their friends and families.

Most citizens wore green and white dresses to mark the occasion. The Pakistani flag was seen on almost every other car and motorbike in the city on August 14. Colourful floats, highlighting the sacrifices of the independence struggle, also kept roaming main city roads.

The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) ran Sightseeing Lahore double-decker buses, desert jeeps, vintage cars and a heavy motorbike rally on I-Day. Along with Rescue 1122’s firefighting and rescue vehicles, the Dolphin Force commandos were also seen at the TDCP double-decker buses.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, various citizens expressed their love for the country and prayed for a peaceful and prosperous motherland. Sabir Malik said though there were many differences among citizens over political, religious and social issues, they were more united on the national front.

“Pakistan is the best and the only country in the world which was created in the name of Islam. The Pakistani nation cannot forget sacrifices of their forefathers who lost their lives for the creation of an independent homeland,” he underlined.

Similar remarks were made by several other citizens. Most citizens prayed that peace prevail over the country and the menace of terrorism is rooted out.

K-P's transgenders go green to celebrate Independence Day in Peshawar

Special flag lowering ceremonies were held at both Wagha and Ganda Singh borders in the evening and were attended by a large number of citizens. They were holding national flags and chanting “Pakistan zindabad” and “Nara-e-Takbeer” slogans. There was great enthusiasm shown by all those citizens who visited the borders with India.

People also showed their keen interest at Wagha Border flag post (400 feet), which is the tallest in South Asia and the eighth highest in the world. Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa hoisted the national flag for the first time at the new post on Sunday at midnight.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2017.