ISLAMABAD: This year’s Independence Day celebrations will be a month-long festive event – including a midnight military parade – that will kick off in August, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Thursday.

Mr Rafique, who also heads a special cabinet committee tasked with planning this year’s independence day, said at a press conference that ceremonies would begin with special prayers on Friday (August 1).

The government seems to be pulling out all the stops in trying to divert attention away from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s long march, which is also expected to arrive in Islamabad on August 14. But Mr Rafique refused to acknowledge that the grandiose preparations were, in fact, a response to the PTI’s plans. Earlier, the information minister had announced two weeks of celebrations, but this has now been extended to a full month, Rafique said.

Midnight military parade, Azadi Train to feature in festivities

“Independence Day does not belong to any one party or leader. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us; may they be in the government or opposition, regardless of our political ideologies and sects, to mark the event with full dedication. We will invite the heads of all political parties to be part of our initiative,” the railway’s minister said.

During the press conference, he parried questions that the decision to hold the 30-day celebrations showed panic in the government’s ranks.

PTI threatens Independence Day march on capital

Mr Rafique said a military parade and an aerial fly-by will be held on the eve of August 14. The defence ministry is already in touch with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other departments concerned and are working to put this celebration together. The following morning, i.e. August 14, a traditional flag-hosting ceremony will be held, either at the Presidency or at the Convention Centre, he said.

All four provincial chief ministers and the governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan would be formally invited to the event.

When asked why the government was looking to fund such exorbitant celebrations at a time when every single rupee that could be mustered was going to the rehabilitation of those displaced from North Waziristan, the minister said the corporate sector had been asked to come forward and help the government.

The minister also said parliamentarians from across party lines would pay their respects at martyrs’ graves across Pakistan and visit their grieving families.

Citizens will be encouraged to hoist the national flag at their residences and businesses and fix it to their vehicles to join the celebrations.

Moreover, the government will run an ‘Azadi Train’, which will feature artistic work. The train will cover 4000kms from August 11 up to September.

Top government functionaries, including foreign diplomats, will be invited to undertake a journey on this special train, he said.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2014