Lahore all set for Independence Day party

Several events, flag hoisting ceremonies, sports meetings organised to mark occasion

LAHORE: The city is wearing green to mark the 72nd Independence Day of Pakistan. In the cosmopolitan metropolis, home to 11 million people from all walks of life, multiple events are set to take place in commemoration of the day Muslims achieved a separate and independent homeland in the subcontinent.

The provincial government has also made special arrangements on Tuesday to mark the historic day with traditional zeal. To finalise arrangements, a meeting was held and presided over by Lahore Division Commissioner Asif Bilal Lodhi.

The commissioner highlighted that Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will preside over a flag hoisting ceremony at Hazoori Bagh and lay a floral wreath at the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

In pictures: Pakistan celebrates 72nd Independence Day

He said the district administration, Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) and PHA will jointly decorate the provincial capital. The government will also decorate entry and exit points of the city, he added.

PHA will organise fireworks at Minar-e-Pakistan on the eve of Independence Day. The national monument has already been illuminated with white and green lights since August 1.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Saleha Saeed said that district administration has also completed all arrangements in collaboration with different government departments for the celebrations. Change of guard ceremony will also be held at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum.

Besides the main function, several national flag hoisting ceremonies, Independence-Day rallies and walks will be held in different areas of the city. Special flag lowering ceremonies will also be held at both Wagah and Ganda Singh borders on the eve of August 14.

Meanwhile, the Information and Culture Department is planning a programme titled “Hum Aik Hain” on August 8 at the Alhamra Arts Centre in Lahore to highlight the real purpose of freedom and to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2019.