LAHORE: Like rest of the country, the 77th Pakistan Day was celebrated in the city with traditional zeal and fervor as elaborate security arrangements in place could not dampen the celebratory spirit of the Lahorites.

After the Fajr prayers, the day began with 21-gun salute at the Mehfooz Garrison and prayers for the solidarity and prosperity of Pakistan and for the success of the on-going Radul Fassad.

A guard-mounting and wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, where air commodore Salman Mahboob, and the base commander were the chief guest.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force took over guard duties from Sutlej Rangers. The chief guest laid a floral wreath and offered fateha at the grave of Allama Iqbal on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, airmen and civilians.

The city roads wore a festive look as youths, wearing green shirts and riding motorbikes continued to occupy the roads for the whole day. Seminars, special sittings, flag hoisting and cake-cutting ceremonies were arranged by various public sector and private institutions, housing societies and hotels to mark the day.

Public and private buildings, mosques, parks, houses, roads and streets were decorated with national flag, buntings and illuminated with colourful lights to celebrate the day.

Major parks in the city had massive number of women and children visitors. The newly-built Greater Iqbal Park remained the main attraction, with Bagh-i-Jinnah, Jilani Park, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, zoo, Jallo Park, museum attracting a huge number of visitors.

The Metropolitan Corporation Lahore organized a special event at Islamia High School, Khazana Gate, where Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed and Lahore Deputy Commissioner Sumair Ahmed Syed were the chief quests.

Rana Mashhood stressed the need of making collective efforts for putting Pakistan on the track of progress, prosperity and religious harmony.

The Lahore zoo arranged a ceremony attended by students of various schools and colleges.

Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department director-general Khalid Ayaz Khan urged the students to follow the teachings of Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal for putting the country on the path of progress and prosperity.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2017