ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: The nation will celebrate the 55th Independence Day on Wednesday with enthusiasm and renewed commitment to make Pakistan a strong, forward-looking and prosperous country.

The main event of the day will be a befitting flag-hoisting ceremony to be held in the capital. President Gen Pervez Musharraf will unfurl the national flag and national anthem will be played.

The day will dawn with special prayers at mosques for the country’s stability and prosperity and success of the independence movement in Kashmir.

The celebrations will start with firing of 31-gun salute at dawn at the Federal Capital and 21-gun salute at all the provincial capitals — Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

The auspicious day will be a public holiday to enable the people to celebrate and organize different functions in a befitting manner. All the major public and private buildings will be illuminated profusely.

At 7.58am, all the road traffic will stop for two minutes with the sounding of sirens and national anthem will be played at 8.00am.

A number of social, cultural, educational and non-governmental organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day with great enthusiasm and national spirit.

On this occasion, life and achievements of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the significance of Pakistan ideology and the Pakistan Movement will be highlighted.

Different programmes, with the active participation of Nazimeen and local bodies will be arranged in villages, towns and cities at tehsil/district levels according to requirements and facilities available at different places.

The programmes include horse and cattle shows, exhibitions of fruits and vegetables, folk music, stage shows and local games for children.

Islamabad Sports Board has organized an under-14 kids swimming gala on Aug 14 at F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park.

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation’s tourist centres will remain open on the Independence Day for disseminating of information and literature to public.—APP