LAHORE: The Pakistan Day celebrations started in provincial metropolis on Friday with 21-gun salute at the Mahfooz Garrison after Fajr prayers which followed the late night elaborate fireworks at the Minar-i-Pakistan.

Lahore wore a festive look all day as the people thronged the roads and parks, especially at noon and in the evening. The Greater Iqbal Park and Minar-i-Pakistan remained special attractions while the Lahore Zoo and parks witnessed exceptional rush as pleasant weather added to the joy of the day.

The city also witnessed a number of functions and rallies held by the political parties to mark the day and renew pledge to serve the motherland. The 21-gun salute in which the military officers and personnel participated was followed by similar ceremonies at all PAF bases and installations with traditional zeal and zest.

The day-long celebrations began with special prayers after Fajr for the solidarity, progress and prosperity of the country and the Muslim World.

A guard-mounting and wreath-laying ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal where Air Commodore Syed Sabahat Hassan, base commander, was the chief guest. A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) took over the guard duties from Sutlej Rangers.

The chief guest laid a floral wreath and offered prayers at the grave of Allama Iqbal on behalf of the chief of the air staff, airmen and civilians of the PAF.

The flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah Border as always drew a massive crowd. A daily routine assumed added significance on March 23 and Friday as a large number of women, children gathered there. As they raised slogans for their country, the Pakistan Rangers personnel lowered the flag in their traditional style. The participants’ excitement grew higher as they witnessed the parade ceremony.

Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana decorated 27 distinguished citizens with civil awards on the occasion on behalf of the president of Pakistan. He awarded one Hilal-i-Imtiaz, six Sitara-i-Imtiaz, 15 Pride of Performance and five Tamgha-i-Imtiaz to people who excelled in their respective fields.

Apart from these official functions, the city also witnessed rallies by the political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamaat-i-Islami and Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan to celebrate the day.

A special meeting was also held at Bakhtiar Labour Hall where a large number of trade union representatives and the workers prayed for the success and prosperity and peace of the country.

Veteran Trade Union leader Khurshid Ahmed, Rubina Jameel, Yousaf Baloch, Akbar Ali Khan, Osama Tariq, Saeed Gujjar and Rana Shakoor participated in the meeting.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2018