Islamabad: Pakistanis celebrated the 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of Independence with traditional zeal, flag-hoisting, fireworks and fanfare.
The federal and the provincial governments organised activities to reignite the spirit of patriotism among public and make them realise the value of independence.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also sent similar messages to President Alvi, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion.
A change of guard ceremony was also held at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi.
Earlier, the day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in the provincial headquarters.
Prayers were offered for the security and progress of Pakistan, and the well-being of the people.
President Dr Arif Alvi and his wife First Lady Samina Arif Alvi visited an orphanage for girls in Rawalpindi and participated with them in Independence Day celebrations.
The president said he wished to spend the Independence Day with orphans and today that wish was fulfilled.
While greeting the girls of Kashana Orphanage on the eve of Independence Day, President Alvi emphasized the education for girls and said their role in nation-building couldn’t be overruled.
PM unveils re-recorded national anthem
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday unveiled the newly re-recorded national anthem of Pakistan composed with modern technology.
The national anthem has been re-recorded after 68 years, with the participation of 155 singers, 48 musicians and 6 bandmasters.
Shehbaz has become the second elected prime minister after Liaquat Ali Khan to have the unique honour of unveiling the national anthem.
The brass bands of all three armed forces participated in this national effort. The new compositions, recorded with excellent imaging carry a rainbow of all the cultural and regional colours of Pakistan, said a statement of the PM office.
PKR 75 currency note launched
Pakistan’s central bank, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) unveiled the design of Rs75 commemorative banknote for the country’s diamond jubilee.
According to the bank, the note will be available for public issuance from September 30.
“The note has portraits of Quaid-i-Azam, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah to recognize and acknowledge their contribution in Pakistan Movement.
The Markhor (screwed-horned goat), Pakistan’s national animal on the note’s reverse highlights our focus on environmental sustainability,” the SBP said.
Manwhile, former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has claimed that his fight for “real freedom” has entered the “final phase.”
The former prime minister said this while addressing a rally at the National Hockey Stadium, where the party celebrated the 75 years of Pakistan’s independence — marked with fireworks and traditional songs Saturday night.
In his address, the PTI chairman said that he had decided to “go to the people”, starting from Rawalpindi, followed by Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Attock, Abbottabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Jhelum, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Quetta.
“I am coming out and to the people as the fight for real independence has entered its decisive phase [...] my nation, be ready,” the PTI chairman told the people.
He asked the PTI supporters to be ready adding “you have to go door-to-door and inform the people of my message about independence. Tell them that they should not be afraid of anything.”
