Pakistani youths climb the facade of Muhammad Ali Jinnah's mausoleum on August 14. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan marked its 67th Independence day with ceremonies, celebrations and some protests across the country.
A 31 gun salute marked the start of the day in the federal capital, while a 21 gun salute was seen in all provincial capitals.
The day also saw the exchange of sweets on the Wagah border, numerous flag raising ceremonies and thousands of messages of hope and prosperity shared by ordinary citizens.
Rain throughout the country hampered celebrations, particularly in Lahore where over 70 feeders tripped at the same time. In Karachi however, the rain drenched walls of the Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum did not deter one young man from scaling the monument -- a feat reportedly never achieved without support before.
The Jamaatud Dawa chose today to mark a protest against India, burning the Indian flag in Karachi.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
END OF LIVE UPDATES
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5:43pm
A young man climbed the Quaid-e-Azam mausoleum in Karachi without any support.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4:42pm
Twitter has Independence day fever too.
mazar e quaid #14actsforpakistan pic.twitter.com/qXyhi0dULM
— FURQAN (@furq9) August 14, 2013
Blast from the past. First National Daily. Editor: Altaf Hussain #happyindependenceday pic.twitter.com/ZYbtWoxu2N
— MP (@MariaPtweets) August 14, 2013
Arfa Karim ( Daughter of Pakistan ) May Allah give her Highest Rank & give #Pakistan more talent #ForRoshanPakistan pic.twitter.com/qhA15bledJ
— Ali Qasim (@aliqasim) August 14, 2013
https://twitter.com/ahmadnabeel12/status/367306417574662146
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4:32pm
Facebook is awash with green and white today. Some popular shares below.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3:45pm
Media were stopped from attending a flag hoisting ceremony to celebrate Independence Day in Police Line Peshawar.
KPK district police, who were part of those who stopped media, said they had not received confirmation to let the media through.
This was the first ceremony of its kind under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Additionally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak was not available to hoist the flag. He gave Shaukat Ali Yousafzai permission to hoist the flag instead.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3:35pm
Celebrations, along with protests continue across Pakistan. Latest set of photos below.
Pakistanis waves their national flags during a flag hoisting ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day on the Pakistan-India border at Wagah on August 14, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan Rangers Director General, Major General, Mian Mohammad Hilal Hussain (L) offers sweets to Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG), M F Farooqui (R) during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan s Independence Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post on August 14, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistani youth cheers during a flag hoisting ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day on the Pakistan-India border at Wagah on August 14, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
A cadet from the Pakistan Navy takes a photograph of students performing national songs during a ceremony to celebrate the country's 67th Independence Day at the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi August 14, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
Pakistani Naval band members perform at the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad, Ali Jinnah during a ceremony to mark the country s Independence Day in Karachi on August 14, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Supporters of Pakistan's hardline Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) shout anti-India slogans during a protest in Karachi on August 14, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Supporters of Pakistan's hardline Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) stand on a India flag during a protest in Karachi on August 14, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2:55pm
Facebook has seen a surge of Independence day related shares. Here are a few select shares from across a broad spectrum of pages:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2:32pm
Supporters of Pakistan's hardline Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) torch Indian flags during a protest in Karachi on August 14, 2014. The protest comes at a time when skirmishes between Pakistan and India have flared across the heavily-militarised Line of Control (LoC).
Supporters of Pakistan's outlawed Islamic hardline Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) torch Indian flags. PHOTO: AFP
Supporters of Pakistan's hardline Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) shout anti-India slogans during a protest in Karachi on August 14, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1:49pm
Bad news for Lahore on Independence day.
Heavy rainfall has resulted in 78 electricity feeders tripping. Parts of the city are reported to be without electricity and people are stuck inside their homes because of flooding in the streets.
Areas without electricity include Garden Town and Model Town.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1:45pm
Asleep for most of the morning activities on Independence day? Express News captures key moments in this video feature:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1:25pm
Some photos from celebrations across Pakistan.
Attendees wave Pakistan's national flag while singing national songs at a ceremony to celebrate the country's 67th Independence Day at the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi August 14, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raises the national flag to mark the 67th Independence Day during a ceremony in Islamabad August 14, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrives to attend a ceremony to mark the Pakistan's Independence Day in Islamabad on August 14, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12:15pm
Update on last night's festivities in Karachi.
At least one person was killed and more than 30 wounded in Karachi on Wednesday as hundreds of people fired guns in the air to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day.
An AFP reporter in the city witnessed heavy aerial firing after clocks struck midnight, as thousands of revellers came out onto the streets to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the creation of Pakistan.
At least 33 people were brought to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi after being wounded by stray bullets, a hospital official said.
"Our hospitals received 33 people, injured due to the aerial firing, one of them later died in the hospital," Doctor Semi Jamali told AFP.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:49am
In his August 14 speech, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif emphasised that a country can only progress with economic growth and independence.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:35am
In case you missed it, check out Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani's August 14 speech.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:15am
A change of guard ceremony was held at the Mazar-e-Quaid, where Pakistan Naval Academy Commander Commodore Zahid Ilyas inspected the guard of honour, laid a floral wreath and offered prayers.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11:ooam
Prime minister Nawaz Sharif raised the flag at a ceremony in Islamabad today. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was present.
[embed width ="620"]]
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10:5oam
At the Wagah border, sweets were offered from the Indian Army.
[embed width ="620"]]
COMMENTS (45)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1701091268-0/Elon-Musk-(3)1701091268-0-270x192.webp)
please don't disrespect indian flag...happy independence day to india and pakisthan
Hi, Wishing everyone a very happy independence day. I am from Mumbai, India. I only hope peace prevails and people get better - economically and from a humanity perspective. And we should always strive for that. A big ask but not impossible!!
Things between the two nations are not much different from a political perspective. I have written a blog (and a poem) to express my feelings (as a young citizen of the country) on how a nation should be built.http://www.sachinsadare.in/happy-independence-day-2013/
Would like to read comments on this. Thanks Sachin
@Aspiring Anu Xynab:
You missed one: "Inventor of Water Car"
BTW who let that idiot climb the mausoleum, another accident waiting to happen.
I strongly suggest the picture of the Indian flag with the shoes right on top of it be removed. Being a Pakistani i find that display to be in extremely bad taste. No matter what our sentiments are for our neighbor, this was the act of a few that we do not approve of and should not be flaunted on an e-paper with a following as large as yours.
And if i remember correctly, this is a joyful day for us, as Pakistanis. And should focus wholely on Pakistan. No need to violate the sanctity of a day as sacred as our independence with such filth please.
I haven't read any comment so far, but was really disturbed after watching the disrespect of Indian flags by right wing groups. Really shameful, I am also a Pakistani but doesn't believe that one needs to burn Indian flags in order to show patriotism.
@Aspiring Anu Xynab: And i'm proud of the fact that we have millions of idiots like you.
Happy Independce day to all my Pakistani friends.. . Happy Independence Day to my Indian friends (it's almost 12am)
@ Dp and other Indian friends:
Media depicts what sells best. Ours is same, yours is a step ahead in incitement and jingoism. We the majority of Pakis don't support JuD and other such groups. They are widely hated by masses. You guys must also understand that they are unliked minority in Pakistan as well, not an official stance. Likewise, its good to accept your weaknesses as well, JuD like Shiv Sena, Bal Thakray guyz do exist on your side as well. Its people who can push their media and leaders towards peace or else they would pursue their own agenda. Hope the sensible followers of Jinnah and Gandhi prevail in the end.
Happy independence day, My brother from another mother.
@Aspiring Anu Xynab - #20 you can take credit for blowing out most hot air.
Happy Independence Day. Long live Pakistan.
@Syed A. Mateen:
Congratulations everyone (but do remember the country still has to pay debt of 130 billion dollars means every citizen has to pay around 100,000RS even if you have not used a single penny)
We should respect other's country flag. Don't feel proud in disrespecting others. Insulting others does not mean you are doing some thing great or it does'nt mean that India is inferior from Pakistan. We should do something to light our country name. Insulting others will not make you respectable and honourable.They can also do this. What would be our feelings when they will do this with our flag. Those who insult others , they themselves don't get respect. If you want to prove that our country Pakistan is superior than others then we should make some effort like Arfa Kareem.
Happy independence day to all Pakistanis from across the border
@Aspiring Anu Xynab:
The world's largest irrigation system is in Pakistan? The world's 4 largest internet broadband system is in Pakistan? The world's largest milk processing plant is in Pakistan? Where do you come up with this stuff? Can you please provide some verifiable references?
As far as having a large population or large army that is nothing to brag about.
@Dp: And when some militant Hindus burn Pakistani flags then its peaceful too?
"Supporters of Pakistan’s hardline Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) shout anti-India slogans during a protest in Karachi on August 14, 2014. " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Another Pakistani inventions; Time Travel.
Happy Independence day to Secular Pakistan.
What a nice way to view the day - nicely done! says it better than words!
@Arun: @Sanjay Sharma: @Indian: Thanks neighbour..
@Aspiring Anu Xynab: And despite all the listing you have given ex President Musharraf famously said: "Today we are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most un-enlightened, the most deprived, and the weakest of all the human race" You have listed 19 items. I can think of a 20th one as well but it will not be printed. Happy independence day to you all.
Supporters of Pakistan’s hardline Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) stand on a India flag during a protest in Karachi on August 14, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Their feet demonstrate non-verbal the bitter truth of a fanatic Pakistan tied up in the shackles of ignorance.
@Aspiring Anu Xynab: I agree. Proud to be Pakistani.
Happy Independence Day PAKISTAN! PAKISTAN Zindabad! I love my country.
Where are my comments please publish it.
May Allah rest her soul in peace. Ameen
On this historic day of joy and celebration, U.S. Central Command would like to extend warm wishes and say, “Jashn-e-Azaadi Mubarak” to each and every Pakistani living in and outside Pakistan. We hope that this day brings with it a sense of joy, pride and unity among all Pakistanis. We honor the sacrifices and the struggles of your founding fathers, from motivational poets like Allama Muhammad Iqbal to prominent statesmen like Muhammad Ali Jinnah. We hope to see a strong and stable Pakistan leading its way towards prosperity and peace. Pakistani Zindabaad, Pakistan Paindabaad.
Ali Khan
happy independence day taliban.
I am proud to be a Pakistani!!
1- World's largest irrigation system is in Pakistan. 2- World's largest deep sea port is Gawadar in Pakistan. 3- Pakistan is a proud owner of tallest cake world record. 4- World's largest milk processing plant with Nestle. 5- Pakistani armed forces are internationally ranked sixth largest in the world by 2010. 6- Pakistani cricket team is among world’s best cricket teams and also have won world cups. 7- Pakistan is the only Muslim nuclear power. 8- Sixth nuclear power of the world. 9- Pakistan has sixth largest population in the world. 10- Pakistan is ninth super-power nation of the world. 11- Pakistan is notable for having one of the best trained air force pilots in the world. 12- Pakistan has world's youngest civil judge , Muhammad Illyas. 13- Pakistan has seventh largest collection of scientists and engineers. 14- About 50% of the world's footballs are made in Pakistan. 15- Pakistan's national anthem tune ranks first in the top three tunes of the world. 16- Fourth largest broadband internet system of world is in Pakistan. 17- The youngest certified Microsoft technology specialist is a Pakistani . 18- Second largest salt mines of the world are Khewra Mines in Pakistan. 19- Largest producer of chickpeas.
UN Secretary general is in Pakistan for Independence Day....
Where is Pakistani President??????????.
@Pakistan awaam : Happy Independence Day folks, a well deserved independence which was won by all our forefathers. More power to Pakistan the Democracy!
What Independence? The "gora" still rules throught IMF/World Bank. Independence is just an illusion. Unless we get rid of illiteracy and poverty, there will be no Independence.
Happy Independence day to all Pakistanis
Seeing these pics with Pakistanis in their traditional colorful dresses reminds me of what cultural wealth the world stands to lose if the zealots succeed in painting that place black and white.
Happy Independence Day guys, Wish you greater safety and prosperity.
Happy Independence Day. God Bless Us All. @Sanjay Thanks :)
Happy Independence Day to Pakistani Nation and her citizenry. This is the time to celebrate and enjoy with each of us and share bond of affection. My good wishes to every one.
All of us sincere citizens have our own way of doing well for the country in our own way. A nice way to rekindle the moribund spirit of Pakistan.
Let the fire in our hearts, for the independence given to us by Allah Almighty through the founding fathers, burn brightly through "Unity, Faith, and Discipline." Pakistan Zindabad! Salams
If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, i strongly feel there are three keys societal members who can make a difference. They are the FATHER the MOTHER and the TEACHER. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL PAKISTANIS....:)
Happy Independence Day to the entire nation.
May we all unite forever, as we are united today on August 14th.
Pakistan Zindabad