Islamabad
The Pakistani nation will celebrate 74th Independence Day on Au-gust 14 (Saturday) with traditional zeal and enthusiasm through a number of activities to highlight the struggle of our forefathers and national heroes for acquiring a separate homeland.
The day will dawn with special prayers and a 31 gun salute in the federal capital and 21 gun salute at all provincial capitals
There will be a dramatic pause at 8.58 am throughout the country with the sounding of sirens to herald the flag hoisting ceremony at 9 a.m.
While special prayers will be offered in mosques at dawn for peace, solidarity, and prosperity of the country.
Different public and private departments will hold special func-tions and activities including seminars, discussion programmes, photographic exhibitions, painting, poetry, national songs, and de-bate competitions with the focus on acknowledging the contribution of leaders of the Pakistan Movement and sacrifices of national he-roes.
All the major roads and avenues of the federal capital, like other cities, will be decorated with flags, banners, and buntings to present a festive look.
The major public and private buildings in the city will also be illuminated to mark this important occasion.
The print and electronic media will highlight the services of Paki-stan Movement heroes’ on the day and pay tributes to their ex-traordinary contributions to making Pakistan a reality.
Islamabad Capital Territory Police as well as provincial govern-ments have finalized traffic management plans for the convenience and safety of the general public.
Literary and cultural organizations have chalked out a number of programmes to mark the day.
Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) will arrange a puppet show through its National Puppet Theater on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations.
The show will exhibit the puppeteer’s skills featuring vibrantly costumed puppets and will present national songs, folk tales, skits, and folk dances to provide infotainment and highlight Pakistan’s in-dependence journey and its historical background.
PNCA would also organize special online cultural programs on August 14 titled ‘Meri Pehchan Pakistan’ to pay a tribute to national heroes and forefathers for their great struggle for the Independ-ence of Pakistan.
Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) organized a national literary seminar “Urdu Adab Pakistaniat ka Izhar” (Expression of Pakistaniat in Urdu Literature) today (August 13).
PAL would organize the national “Azadi Mushaira” on August 14 in connection with Independence Day celebrations which would be at-tended by eminent poets and scholars.
Similarly, educational institutions both private and the govern-ment will also hold different activities including competitions, func-tions, and sessions to educate the students about the historical struggle behind the creation of Pakistan.
The capital city has turned into green and white color with a large number of Jashan-i-Azadi stalls carrying dresses, flags, bunting, pin badges, toys, and other decorative accessories to attract the youngsters and children.
Since Independence Day has assumed the shape of a festival in the country, different brands, online retailers, eateries, cab-hailing services, and even electronics companies are offering exciting dis-count offers, adding more charm to the festivity.
