Pakistan

63rd Independence Day celebrations eclipsed

Many events were cancelled by the government and festivities across the nation wore a sombre look.

Express August 15, 2010

One of the worst floods in Pakistan’s history eclipsed the 63rd Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, as many events were cancelled by the government and festivities across the nation wore a sombre look. A change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Pakistan’s founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah in Karachi.

President Asif Ali Zardari urged Pakistanis to mark the country’s birth anniversary by helping the millions displaced by the country’s worst ever floods.

“The best way to celebrate the Independence Day this year is to reach out to the victims of this natural disaster, heal their wounds and help them to help themselves,” Zardari said in an e-mailed statement.

It may be mentioned here that there was no Independence Day ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Similarly, the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani cancelled all celebrations activities regarding 14th August on Friday.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani hoisted the national flag in a ceremony at Prime Minister House Islamabad. He said that Pakistan in the current scenario is facing challenges similar to those in 1947.“Pakistan was emerged due to unprecedented and restless democratic efforts. At independence we faced the refugee issue. Now we face the problem of millions of people displaced due to the deluge,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune August 15^th, 2010.