LAHORE: The groundbreaking ceremony of the country’s tallest flagpole was held at the Liberty Chowk on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said it would be the tallest flagpole where the national flag would be hoisted.

Talking to the reporters, he said funds for the project would come from the private sector.

To a question, he said rallies on the Independence Day were allowed only with national flag.

The 500 feet tall flagpole at Liberty Roundabout may cost the government around Rs400m. After the soil test, the height of the pole might be increased to up to 672 ft.

Mr Naqvi hoisted the national flag at the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort to mark the Independence Day. Witnessing the performance of scouts and schoolchildren playing melodious tunes on their instruments at Huzuri Bagh, he admired their skill and dedication. The venue was adorned in the national flag colours of green and white.

Singer Atif Aslam sang ‘Tajdar-e-Haram’. A group of students sang ‘Es Parcham Kay Saey Talay Hum Aik Hain’ and other national songs. Violinist Najat Ali mesmerised the audience with the tune of ‘Ae Mere Pak Watan’. Special children contributed by singing ’Chand Roshan, Chamkata Sitara Rahe’.

In his address, the caretaker CM emphasised that the youth was the future of Pakistan and they had the responsibility to take the nation forward.

He urged the government officials, teachers and doctors to fulfill their duties with integrity and punctuality, saying that if all the employees diligently fulfilled their responsibilities, the nation’s progress was inevitable.

WAGAH BORDER: Hundreds of people gathered at the Wagah Border to attend the flag-lowering ceremony.

The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as a diverse crowd converged, adorned with the national flag.

Children displayed their patriotism by sporting tattoos of the national flag on their faces, capturing the spirit of independence in a unique and vibrant manner.

The air resounded with spirited slogans in support of the country, creating an ambiance of national pride.

The echo of “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans reverberated across the Wagah Border, uniting the crowd in a shared celebration of the nation’s hard-fought freedom.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2023