Spirit of Independence: City prepares for August 14

KARACHI: Arrangements have been finalised for an impressive programme to mark the 68th Independence Day of the country at Quaid-e-Azam mausoleum on Thursday.

The programme wll begin at 8am during which the national flag will be hoisted by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, who will lay a floral wreath on the grave of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah by the governor and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. The Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy bands will be playing the function along with children from different schools of Karachi.

Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui said that adequate and fool-proof security measures have been adopted for the occasion, adding that the mausoleum will be cleaned and decorated for the occasion.

A change of guards by the cadets of Pakistan Naval Academy is also expected on the occasion.  All educational institutions will also remain partially open as students will be participating in programmes including quiz contests, national songs competition and tableaus. A flag-hoisting ceremony and other celebrations have also been arranged by different organisations.

"August 14 is the day when we need to think about the struggles our ancestors went through for our independence and it is our responsibility to keep that spirit alive," said Siddiqui.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th,2014.