Resolution of 1940: Nation celebrates Pakistan Day today

Up to 110 civil awards to be conferred upon Pakistanis, foreign nationals.

ISLAMABAD:

The nation will celebrate Pakistan Day across the country today (Sunday) with traditional zeal and enthusiasm to commemorate the Lahore Resolution of 1940. The day commemorates the passage of the historic Lahore Resolution now called “Pakistan Resolution” on March 23 1940 at the ground where the Minar-e-Pakistan stands. The resolution laid the basis for the creation of Pakistan.

The day will dawn with special prayers for progress and prosperity of the country and with a 31 gun-salute in the federal capital as well as 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.

The national flag will be hoisted atop principal public and private buildings throughout the country as well as at all Pakistani missions abroad.

Civil awards to be conferred

Moreover, over a hundred civil awards – including 35 Pride of Performance awards – will be awarded to both Pakistanis and foreign nationals. Of the 110 awards to conferred, 39 will be awarded by President Mamnoon Hussain at an investiture ceremony in Islamabad.

Among those being recognised are Ghulam Nabi for his work in the field of physics. He is being conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (civil).

A Sitara-i-Shujaat is being bestowed upon student Aitzaz Hassan Bangash, who foiled a suicide attack on his school and lost his life in the process. Samia Noreen, the schoolteacher who rescued children from a burning school van, is also being conferred a Sitara-i-Shujaat, as is Malala Yousufzai.

Slain journalist Wali Khan Babar, meanwhile, will be awarded President’s Pride of Performance award. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2014.