LAHORE: The city wore a festive look on Saturday as dozens of colourful events were held here to celebrate the Pakistan Day.

The celebrations started with 21-gun salute at the cantonment early in the morning. Earlier, display of fireworks and a dancing fountains show were held at the Greater Iqbal Park.

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 Muhammad Iqbal. A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force took over guard duties from Sutlej Rangers.

Air Commodore Rizwan Malik presented salute to the poet-philosopher.

PAF contingent takes over guard duty at Iqbal’s mausoleum

PAF Lahore Base Commander Air Commodore Syed Sabahat Hassan laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha at the grave of Allama Iqbal on behalf of chief of the air staff, airmen and civilians of Pakistan Air Force. The public at large showed an unprecedented enthusiasm by participating in celebrations due to the recently-ended tension between Pakistan and India. Among many, the city witnessed two major events organised jointly by the Lahore city district administration, Municipal Corporation and zonal and tehsil administrations.

The major events, which were attended by hundreds of people with great national spirit, included the Lahore Marathon Race, musical concert at Alhmara and Lahore Carnival at Jilani Park.

Mayor retired Col Mubashir Javaid, Deputy Commissioner Ms Saleha Saeed, cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed, actor Tauqeer Ahmed, Rana Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Ali Mir were also present in the marathon.

Later, a musical concert was held at Alhamra Cultural Complex where famous singer Aima Baig performed.

Similarly, a two-day Lahore Carnival started at Jilani Park where a number of food stalls were put up.

“It is really a wonderful event. But, on this occasion, we must remember our martyrs and pay tributes to all those who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan,” said Zulfiqar at the festival at Jilani Park.

Besides this, arts and painting competitions and other activities were also carried out.

As always, the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah Border attracted a massive crowd. As the people continued raising slogans for the country, the Pakistan Rangers personnel lowered the flag in their traditional style.

CSA: A ceremony was held at Civil Services Academy, Walton, Lahore, to commemorate the Pakistan Day.

The event was attended by the faculty and 271 under-training young officers belonging to the 46th Common Training Programme. The event started with a flag-hoisting ceremony along with national anthem and a short documentary was shown to commemorate and salute heroes of the Partition.

A group of officers sang national songs and enthralled the audience.

WORKERS: Working class also celebrated the Pakistan Day throughout the country under the aegis of the All Pakistan Workers Confederation.

A meeting was held at the Labour Hall in Lahore which was participated in by trade union representatives and workers.

It was addressed by trade union leaders Khurshid Ahmad, Niaz Khan, Salahuddin Ayubi and Osama Tariq.

They prayed for the success and prosperity of the mother land.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2019