ISLAMABAD, March 23: The 63rd Pakistan Day was marked on Sunday with enthusiasm and solemnity with the renewed pledge to safeguard the ideological and geographical boundaries of the motherland.

The day dawned with special prayers in the mosques. At the sunrise, a 31-gun salute was presented here and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals.

National flag was hoisted on principal buildings and the missions abroad. Pakistanis participated in flag hoisting ceremonies at the missions.

Special programmes were broadcast by radio and television stations.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf conferred medals in a ceremony at the Aiwan-i-Sadr. Receptions were hosted by the governors and chief ministers at the provincial capitals and sweets were distributed at orphanages and Darul Amans.

Exhibitions of photographs and documents relating to the Pakistan movement were arranged at the provincial capitals. Qirat, debate and essay competitions were also organized.

awards conferRed: President Gen Pervez Musharraf conferred military and civil awards on outstanding personalities for their contribution in different fields at an investiture ceremony here on Sunday.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali also attended the ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr.

Hilal-i-Imtiaz (military) was conferred on 31 officers.

Nishan-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Shujaat, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, pride of performance, Sitara-i-Khidmat, Tamgha-i-Shujaat and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz were conferred on 93 personalities.

The recipients of civil awards included scientists, engineers, police officers, academics, journalists, writers, sportsmen, artists, singers, poets, former bureaucrats and social workers.

Prominent among the recipients were: former minister Dr Ataur Rehman, Nishan-i-Imtiaz; State Bank Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain, Hilal-i-Imtiaz; Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan, Hilal-i-Imtiaz; former ambassador Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Hilal-Imtiaz; writer Ishfaq Ahmad, Sitara-i-Imtiaz; and compere Zia Mohyedin, Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

Lt-Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai was decorated with Hilal-i-Imtiaz military as well as civil.

Dr Tang Mengsheng, a Chinese academic and expert of Urdu language, was decorated with Sitara-i-Khidmat for his role in the promotion of Pakistan-China relations.

Overseas pakistanis: The country’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Abdul Kader Jaffer, said on Sunday that the government was cognizant of a deep sense of patriotism in overseas Pakistanis and the important role being played by them in progress of the country.

Speaking at a flag-hoisting ceremony held at the High Commission to celebrate Pakistan Day, he urged the Pakistanis to emulate the principles set forth by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who led Muslims of the subcontinent in their relentless struggle to carve out Pakistan.

He said following the Quaid’s golden principles was necessary to achieve prosperity, peace and development for the country.

He felicitated Pakistanis in the UK and Europe through a radio channel.

The high commissioner unfurled the national flag and the national anthem was played.

Kader Jaffer read out the message of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who had urged the nation to reaffirm its commitment to work for development of the country.—APP