Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will raise the flag during the ceremony as well, according to reports.
Express News Islamabad bureau chief Amir Ilyas Rana said that the rally -- hosted by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will be attended by high profile personalities, including Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
The time for the rally has not yet been confirmed.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) plans to hold a protest at the same venue the same day.
However, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said, “The tradition of holding an Independence Day function at D-Chowk began before the PTI even existed … it has nothing to do with the PTI."
COMMENTS (21)
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@rashid: He knows about the Pakistan military doctrine; they will not charge against the popular civilian demonstrations on the orders of the Prime Minister, but instead would have no other option but to introduce the military rule and place all ministers under house arrest. This will not have the support of the American administration though..
Rex Minor
This is hilarious why does the lion fear so much? A parade that always took place on 23rd march as far as I can remember and never a parade took place in Islamabad on 14th August for the past 25 years! And now you do? such cowardice!!!
As always, PMLN is doing politics behind other institutions. First general jillani, then Aslam Beg, then ISI, then Iftikhar Chaudhry Court, and now again hiding behind the army. Zia-ul-Haqqi, Petty politics and shamelessness continues.
@Zain: Defense Day is different. It is on September 6-7, not March 23. I do remember that Benazir's government started holding an Azadi Concert on the 14th in front of the parliament. But I don't remember it becoming a permanent event. March 23 parade was the major event, which was moved to the front of the parliament by BB due to the callousness and hostility of the Nawaz's provincial government. Other than this, anything at that venue doesn't ring a bell.
@rashid: IDPs visit was in the morning but Imran chose to have lunch with his friend Yusuf 'Saloo' Salahuddin in Lahore.
@Jibran: Defence Day parade and Independence Day parade both have happened. Latter doesn't have all the cultural floats and entire Armed Forces, Civil Armed Forces presence but a parade does happen. Flag raising at Parade Ground itself has happened continuously, with some breaks due to security situation.
@rashid: Army is part of the government - stop creating fissures!
It's because of intellectually weak people like you that Pakistan has not had sustainable democracy
The parade is a waste of money and additionally was done on 23rd March not 14th August FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.
NS no matter whatever you do or whatever you say your real problem is you have nothing in your basket to sell to this poor nation.
You have delivered poverty, corruption, nepotism, terrorism through out your political career.
I believe this country can not be a welfare state while opportunistic people like you are in power.
I hope on this AZADI day we become AZAD in reality from political mafia who have been treating us like slaves in our own land.
Im glad the parade is back. It was incredibly stupid and pathetic that we stopped doing it and capitulated to terrorist. This is our country and no one will allow us to stop living our lives the way we want to and celebrate it the way we want to.
Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif. Allah bless Pakistan Army.
I think its a wonderful step by the Prime Minister and the Army Chief .its been almost a decade there has been no national day celebrated in the d chowk.
@Rashid:
Bahawalpur rally was scheduled in evening while IDPs visit was scheduled in morning. IK could have put aside his ego and gathered for good cause. Trust me, he would have been honored.
Islamabad rally, PTI is making dispute of independence day by telling us sweet slogans. Every year, media keeps playing national songs, anthem etc. This year, I suspect 50% of airtime will be occupied with dharna news.
The first year that I wont be in Pakistan on the 14th, they decide to do the parade. Great!
PTI Faisalabad rally = N league brings naseebo PTI Bhawalpur rally = N league brings visit to IDPs PTI Islamabar rally = N league plans to bring Army now...
wondering what if PTI goes for another rally/march what options N league has?? I pray not the one used against PAT workers in lahore
Really it doesnt hve anything to do with imran khan. Well then where was this rally last year. Wasnt last year also PMLN govt rulling. Or did you forget to celebrate it.
Dont remember it happening last year....
We haven't done this in a long time! I use to love watching it! Great they are doing this again!
Apparently, Shareef is hand in glove with Sharif. PMLN won't dare massacre innocents in Lahore, use rubber bullets in Islamabad, blatantly confront PTI without the backing of Shareef. There was a reason of handpicking him for promotion.
Right way to celebrate our independance... Massi musebatay for democracy should do rally at bani gala or peshawar. Long live democracy, long live Pak army, Long live Pakistan.
As usual PMLN politicians are lying when they claim that in the past Army parade was done every year on the 14th August. The truth is that the parade was held on March 23, not August 14.