Pakistan Day celebrated

Islamabad: National celebrations were underway for Pakistan Day on Sunday, marking the first steps in 1940 towards the country's independence.

Security was high as a 31-gun salute was held in the Federal Capital. The national flag was hoisted at all government buildings, and ceremonies and cultural events across the nation were televised.

President Pervez Musharraf also spoke at a large military parade early in the day, commenting on recent elections that brought about an overwhelming opposition majority in the country's parliament.

As troops, tanks and the country's nuclear-armed arsenal rolled past, Musharraf praised the country's journey toward democracy, and pledged his support to the upcoming new government, to be decided by parliament.

Meanwhile, the party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto named former parliament speaker Yousaf Raza Gilani as its candidate for the country's next prime minister.