MUHAMMAD SALEEM
LAHORE: All is set for the 75th Independence Day being celebrated on Saturday (today) amid Coronavirus pandemic with a renewed pledge to work for the glory of the motherland and make it a true Islamic welfare state.
The day will dawn with 31-gun salutes in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial headquarters. Prayers will be offered for the country’s security and progress and well-being of the countrymen. The government has already declared public holiday on Saturday (today) and all government offices, business centres and markets will remain closed. National flag will be hoisted at all important public and private buildings.
The main feature of the celebrations will be a national flag hoisting ceremony at President House Islamabad. President Dr. Arif Alvi will be the chief guest on the occasion. Similar flag hoisting ceremonies will also be held at provincial, divisional and district headquarters level throughout the country.
Public and private buildings as well as streets, bazaars and markets have been profusely illuminated. The country has worn a green and white look with illuminated LED lights and national flags were being hoisted at all important office buildings. The most enthusiastic are children who are busy collecting stickers, badges and also beautifying their vehicles with special stickers inscribed with messages of Independence Day.
Roadside vendors are selling Green & white T-shirts displaying various slogans like “Jashan e Azaadi” and “Pakistan Zindabad”, Pakistani flags, badges and other items. Navved, a vendor at Mozang road said there is demand of flags, T-shirts with trousers, bangles, badges, wrist bands, caps, face masks, glasses and balloons. Temporary stalls have been set up at every nook and corner of the provincial metropolis.
In his message on the Independence Day of Pakistan, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said, “Pakistan is the reward of sacrifices of hundreds and thousands of martyrs and it is a fulfilment of the hard work and vision of founding fathers.”
The CM also expressed complete solidarity with oppressed Kashmiris of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that no power on Earth could separate Kashmiris from Pakistan. “Today, we also remember the martyrs and the nation should stand united for collective betterment while following the golden principles of unity, faith and discipline. Let’s pledge to make Pakistan great and prosperous with diligence and the national pride will always be held supreme,” he said.
The CM also directed that crackdown be initiated against one-wheelers on Independence Day and teams be constituted to stop this risky practice. The one-wheelers be punished as they cannot be allowed to endanger their lives, he said and further directed to take action against the underage bike and vehicle drivers.
Moreover, the CM Usman Buzdar in a statement asserted that there is no room for any anti-state narrative adding that anarchist politics is determined to the national interest.
He regretted the opposition has no agenda for people adding that it has ignored the national interest for the sake of temporal political designs. Their designs will not succeed and the conspirators will remain unsuccessful; the CM added and vowed that the journey of public service will be continued under the leadership of PM Imran Khan.
