President Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan once again challenged India on establishing peace in the region, saying Islamabad offered peace to New Delhi but it seemed the neighbour was not ready to reciprocate.
The president said this while addressing the flag-hoisting ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr on Saturday as Pakistan celebrated its 75th Independence Day with traditional zeal, patriotic zest and enthusiasm with special ceremonies held to highlight the struggle of our forefathers and national heroes for acquiring a separate independent homeland.
In his address, President Arif Alvi spoke about the importance of independence and the successes of the country during difficult times.
He said that Pakistan made sacrifices in the war against terrorism and faced various challenges, including economic and health but it continues its journey of development despite trials and tribulations. He also congratulated the nation and Pakistani forces on their victory in the war against terrorism.
The president said the arms race continues in the region and despite this Pakistan has fulfilled the basic requirements to advance in the world. Along with agriculture, now it’s making progress in the industrial and IT sector and Pakistan's exports have reached 31 billion dollars, the president said.
Talking about hosting Afghan refugees, he said that nations are formed on the basis of morality. Without naming any country he said, elsewhere refugees are allowed to drown in the sea not given shelter, but Pakistan still hosts 3.5 million Afghan refugees.
The president also spoke about peace with neighbouring India. “We once again offer peace to India but India is not ready to reciprocate and even returning the Indian pilot was also considered our weakness.”
He said that Pakistan will continue to support the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-rule and freedom.
Celebrations across country
The day dawned with special prayers and a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute at all provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in mosques at dawn for peace, solidarity, and prosperity of the country.
There was be a pause at 8.58 am throughout the country with the sounding of sirens to herald the flag-hoisting ceremonies at 9 am.
The main flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the President's House with President Arif Alvi as the chief guest. After the flag-hoisting, the national anthem was played with the military band. After the recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat Shareef, President Alvi will addressed the nation. National songs and the Kalam-e-Iqbal were presented during the ceremony.
Different public and private departments held special functions and activities including seminars, discussion programmes, photographic exhibitions, painting, poetry, national songs, and debate competitions with the focus on acknowledging the contributions of leaders of the Pakistan Movement and sacrifices of national heroes.
All the major roads and avenues of the federal capital, like other cities, have been decorated with flags, banners, and buntings to present a festive look.
President Alvi, PM Imran felicitate nation on 75th I-Day
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have felicitated the countrymen on the occasion of 75th Independence Day.
In their separate messages on Independence Day, President Alvi and PM Imran have reiterated tremendous successes achieved by Pakistanis in various fields that had made the country distinguished from other nations.
Pakistan today can stand tall among the comity of nations amid the universal recognition of the government’s policies towards the revival of the economy, handling of COVID-19 pandemic, and environment protection, President said in his message on Independence Day.
Dr Alvi added that during the 74 years journey, Pakistan faced many challenges but it successfully overcame them with hard work, sacrifices, and the support of the entire nation.
This day reminds us to pay rich tribute to the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and leaders and workers of the Pakistan Movement who created a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent, President said.
The premier Imran Khan, in his message on August 14, said as we hoist our national flag to mark Independence Day, and we must reiterate the firm resolve to uphold our national values of unity, faith, and discipline as envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Pakistan has rendered immense sacrifices and paid a heavy price for instability on its Western border, Khan said while adding we have consistently stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue to support a negotiated political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
We want peace within and peace without, to pursue our socio-economic agenda. The Naya Pakistan has shifted its focus from geo-politics to geo-economics, with the well-being and welfare of our people as the topmost priority, PM said.
Guards changing ceremonies
Guards changing ceremonies were held at the tombs of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet and dreamer of Pakistan.
Cadets of Pakistan Naval Academy took over the duties of Honorary Guards at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi. The special guest at the event was Commodore Sohail Ahmed who laid a wreath at Mazar-e-Quaid.
Independence Day as national day
Pakistan observes Independence Day as a national day every year on August 14th with patriotic spirit and devotion to commemorate the day when the country was declared an independent state after a long indigenous struggle against the British colonial rule for a separate Muslim state in the subcontinent.
The country came into existence after a long struggle of All-India Muslim League under the visionary leadership of the founding father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The partition and creation of a sovereign Muslim state was the dream of millions of Muslims of the subcontinent. For the purpose of a separate homeland, the Muslims had rendered matchless sacrifices, faced hardships, migration, and left a long trail of heroic struggle for the generations to come.
The partition had also witnessed a huge migration in human history: Muslims from India to Pakistan and Hindus from Pakistan to India.
The beginning of the journey is always tough and in the case of the newly established state of Pakistan, it was full of challenges due to getting an unjust share in the resources from India. It was like starting life from scratch but the dreams were high to make the impossible journey possible with consistent efforts of the forefathers.
Independence Day was also special for the Muslims as it coincided with the 27th Ramazan, the eve of Laylatul Qadr in the year 1947. Therefore, it was an added reason for the Muslims to have bigger celebrations on the occasion.
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Celebratory items such as flags, green and white independence balloons, Pakistan Zindabad wristbands, 14 August hats, customize mugs, green masks, paper flag banners, and Pakistan flag badges, etc were displayed as the youth and children were more excited to celebrate the Independence Day.
On the day, most people hoisted flags on top of their homes, vehicles, attires and decorated their residences with celebratory items.
The day was also marked with celebratory events of flag-raising ceremonies, parades, change of guards, cultural events, award-winning ceremonies, patriotic songs, and the national anthem.
The Pakistani diaspora and missions around the globe also celebrate thed day with patriotic zeal.