Punjab joyously celebrates 73rd Independence Day

Prayers also offered for liberation of Kashmir, where people are undergoing new crisis due to Indian repression

LAHORE: The 73rd Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated, on Wednesday, with traditional national zeal, great fervor and solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

As the celebrations of Independence Day doubled the joy of Eidul Azha, the day was started with special prayers in mosques and Imambargahs after Fajr prayer for peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

Prayers were also made for the liberation of occupied Muslim-majority territories around the world, particularly Kashmir, where the people are undergoing a new crisis due to repression by Indian occupation forces.

The day was dawned with 21-gun salute by Pakistan Army near Lahore Cantonment, while the main flag hoisting ceremony was held at Hazuri Bagh. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar were chief guests of the ceremony, while the event was attended by ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants, civil society representatives and school children.

The CM and governor jointly hoisted the national flag in the historic Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort. They also visited the mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, laid floral wreath and prayed for the salvation and unity of the country.

Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister said Independence Day is a thanks-giving day and is also a day to reiterate our firm commitment and resolve. “This Independence Day is of profound importance in this respect that the oppression in Indian-held Kashmir has reached its utmost level.”

The governor said we are standing shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom from Indian occupation. “We want to bring a system of equality in accordance with the ideas of our country’s founders. India should stop its ugly practice of committing genocide against innocent Kashmiri people in the occupied territory.”

He added, “We express our firm resolve to provide assistance to the people of Kashmir in their struggle for freedom on the eve of Independence Day.”

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Lahore Division Commissioner Asif Bilal Lodhi, while presenting his welcome address, greeted the distinguished guests on behalf of the people of Lahore.

Meanwhile, an impressive change of guards’ ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal. During the ceremony, a smartly turned contingent of the Pakistan Army assumed charge of the guards’ duty from the Pakistan Rangers (Punjab). General Officer Commander Major General Yousaf was the chief guest on the occasion. Later, he also laid floral wreath on the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal and offered prayers.

Various other flag hoisting ceremonies and walks were also organised by different government offices, public and private universities, commercial centres and housing colonies, like Punjab Assembly, GPO, Town Hall, WAPDA House, Lahore High Court, Lahore Development Authority office and universities. In most events, Kashmir’s flag was hoisted with Pakistani flag to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Flag-hoisting in provincial capital

Moreover, a flag-hoisting ceremony was held in National Highways and Motorways Police on Wednesday to mark Independence Day. M-4 DIG Zonal Commander Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry hoisted the national flag at M4 Sector-III office and prayed for peace and prosperity of the country. DIG Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry along with SSP Ayaz Saleem also cut a cake while NHMP officers and officials, school children and media personalities were present on the occasion.

Punjab Rescue Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer, hoisted the national flag at Rescue Headquarters.       Speaking on the occasion, he motivated the rescuers to perform better for the country and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the Pakistani people.

Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Ijaz Alam Augustine said that the entire nation showed full solidarity, on Independence Day, with Kashmiri people. He appealed to the nation to expose an indignant face of India by observing India's Independence Day as ‘Black Day; on August 15.

Ceremonies in Faisalabad

Independence Day was celebrated with national zeal throughout the division with a commitment that all-out efforts will be made for the protection, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

The main flag-hoisting ceremony was held at Commissioner Complex where parliamentarians, officers and staff of different departments of Divisional and District Administration participated in the event.

In the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), the day was dawned with prayers at the Central Mosque after which UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf performed the flag-hoisting ceremony at Iqbal Auditorium of the university. Speaking on the occasion, UAF Vice Chancellor said that in the year 1940, in Lahore’s Minto Park, the Muslims of British India resolved to advance as a separate entity.

*With additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2019.