All set to celebrate Independence Day in twin cities

People in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are all set to celebrate 63rd Independence Day on Friday. This year the nation is celebrating this day at a time when the country is facing a number of challenges including the menace of extremism, lawlessness, uncontrolled price hike and severe power outages.

Although the prices of flags, badges and other items have been increased manifold, but the bazaars of the twin cities are flooded with outlets of national flags T-shirts and other gadgets which people are buying with great interest. People in large numbers are seen in Raja Bazaar, Saddar Bazaar, Sadiqabad and commercial area of Rawalpindi City buying national flags.

It will be a public holiday across Pakistan. The day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country. Celebrations will begin with a 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21-gun salute in all the four provincial capitals as well as in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad Capital cities of northern area and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

At 7.58am, all vehicular traffic will stop for two minutes and National anthem will be played at 8am. A number of events have been chalked out to celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner and pay homage to those, who laid down their lives to create an independent motherland.

The main event of the day will be national flag-hoisting ceremony at Prime Minister House. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will unfurl the national flag. Keeping alive the tradition, all the government and private buildings have been illuminated. People across the twin cities have decorated their houses, shopping centers and offices with national flags, banners, lightings, paintings and balloons.

Pakistan People’s Party as well as other major political parties are all set to celebrate the historic day in a dignified manner by hoisting national and party flags and arranging special programmes. The electronic and print media have planned comprehensive programmes. The electronic media would present various programmes including national songs, talk shows, dramas and children programmes to mark the day. The print media would bring out special supplements, features and articles, highlighting the importance of the day and sacrifices rendered by hundreds of thousands of Muslims.

Rallies, processions and colourful functions under the aegis of various public and private sector, social and political organisations in all small and major towns and cities of the country will be the hallmark of the day.

In the Capital the main celebrations include flag hoisting ceremony at the premises of Lok Virsa, where the artisans would display their work. Folk music performances at open-air theater and photographic exhibition will be the other major features of the day. The Heritage Museum will remain open for public from 10am to 8pm.

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on Aug 14 2009. Filed under Local. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry