Pakistan celebrates 70th Independence Day

KARACHI: Pakistan is celebrating its 70th Independence Day today (Sunday) with national zeal and fervor.

All major public and private buildings, roads and avenues have been decorated with illuminations, national flags, posters, and banners for the Independence Day festivities.

The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country, followed by thirty-one gun salute in the federal and twenty-one gun salute at the provincial capitals.

The main event of the day was the flag hoisting ceremony at the Convention Center in the federal capital Islamabad. President Mamnoon Hussain, the chief guest at the event, also addressed the nation on the occasion.

Mobile phone services remained suspended in several parts of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and other high-security areas in major cities – a step taken to ensure security on the occasion of the country's Independence Day.

Although mobile services were partially restored in some cities including Karachi and Lahore.

Cellular services are expected to remain blocked till 2 PM in other parts of the country.

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Meanwhile, a change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal this morning, while flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at important national buildings and institutions in the provincial capitals.    

Coincidentally, the Pakistani cricket team was on the verge of gifting the nation with victory in a Test match in England, the country’s former colonisers.