(PAKISTAN DAY CELEBRATIONS)

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Pakistan appeared on the map of the world on the 14^th August 1947. It is a Red-Letter-Day for us. We celebrate this day with great pomp and show every General holiday is observed throughout the country. On the 14^th of August every year people express their love and loyalty to the country and display their patriotic spirit.

The Last Independence Day dawned with special prayer at masjid for the stability, prosperity and progress of the motherland. The flag hoisting ceremony at the mausoleum of the Quaid was an impressive one. Thousands of people specially children and youth gathered at the Quaid’s mausoleum in order to pay homage to the father of the nation. Carrying green flags and singing national songs, they thanked the great leader of the Sub- continent for creating an independent homeland for them. The Governor of Sindh and the Chief Minister along with the cabinet ministers performed the flag hoisting ceremony at the mausoleum. At 7:58am, all kinds of traffic stopped for two minutes with the sounding of the sirens and national anthem was played at 8am. Every body stood still at his place listening to the anthem. Television channels presented special programmes. Talk shows and documentaries to celebrate the occasion. Radio Stations also relayed the same types of programmes. Newspapers published special supplements. Features and articles, highlighting the importance of the day. All the educational institutes, schools and colleges, organized national songs competitions, debates, quiz competitions and friendly matches to celebrate the occasion. Throughout the country a large number of seminars and symposia were held to highlight various aspects of the Pakistan movement.

The preparations for this day began weeks ago. All the streets and buildings were decorated with flags and buntings. Even cars, buses, motorcycles as well as bicycles were decorat3d with lovely little flags to mark the happy Independence Day. At night all the main buildings were illuminated and the whole city looked like a fairy world.