A lustreless Aug 14

The 64th Independence Day lost its traditional lustre after the government called off all August 14 celebrations.

LAHORE: The 64th Independence Day has seemingly lost its traditional lustre after the government called off all August 14 celebrations.

Independence Day will be observed with austerity in wake of the devastation caused by the floods in the country.

Only two main functions have been planned by the Punjab government. One of them will be held at the Hazoori Bagh, opposite Badshahi Mosque where Chief Minister Shahabaz Sharif is likely to hoist the national flag. The ceremony will start at 8 am and last for an hour. Later, a change of guards will take place at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal.

The day will dawn with special prayers for flood victims. A two-minute silence will be observed at 8.58 am when sirens will indicate the commencing of flag hoisting ceremonies throughout the Punjab. The traffic will also be brought to a standstill for a minute.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) will also mark the Independence Day with austerity. Judges will assemble in the main lawn of the LHC roadside at 8:50 am. The LHC chief justice will inspect the guard of honour. With the sounding of the siren, there will be a respectful silence until 9 am when the CJ will raise the national flag.

After the national anthem is played, surahs from the Holy Quran will be recited. Prayers for solidarity and the prosperity of Pakistan will be held at 9.10 am.

According to the CDGL officials none of the government and private buildings will be illuminated or adorned.

Similar ceremonies will be held at all district and tehsil headquarters, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas, Pakistani missions abroad, Joint Staff Headquarters, the GHQ, the Formation Headquarters and the quarter guard of all units.

Several social, cultural, religious, political and educational organisations have chalked out their own programmes to mark the day and pay homage to the national heroes and martyrs of the freedom movement.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2010.