LAHORE: Several public and private buildings, parks, roads and other places in the Lahore metropolitan city and other cities of the province have been illuminated, along with other activities including fireworks, to celebrate the country’s 79th Independence Day.
In Lahore, the horticulture agency has illuminated major roads and public spaces across the city ahead of the independence day celebrations. Liberty Chowk, The Mall and Jail Road have been decorated with colourful lights in the green and white of the national flag, giving the city a festive look.
A beautifully-illuminated statue of Quaid-i-Azam on The Mall has emerged as a major attraction, while a glowing crescent and star flag has become a focal point for patriotic sentiments among citizens. Decorative lights installed along the Canal Road and in Gulberg have also added to the city’s festive atmosphere.
“Our teams have worked day and night to complete the arrangements and ensured Lahore presented a festive and vibrant look for the celebrations,” said Lahore Horticulture Agency Managing Director Ahmad Usman while talking to the media.
The illuminated buildings included offices of all major government departments, Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (Town Hall), Government College, Lahore Fort, Lahore Development Authority, Wasa, Wapda House, Mall Road, Jail Road, Lahore Canal and the buildings facing the Mall and various other roads.
The horticulture agency, under the aegis of the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA), also organised huge fireworks at the Greater Iqbal Park late on Thursday night. A number of flag hoisting ceremonies, rallies, walks and other activities have also been scheduled in Lahore and other cities today (August 14).
According to a PHA spokesperson, the district horticulture agencies would mark the day with fireworks, illuminations, and plantation drives across the province. Lahore, Murree, Jhelum, and Faisalabad agencies held fireworks late on Wednesday night to mark the start of the Independence Day, with green-and-white lighting installed in multiple cities to reflect the national flag’s colours. The Lahore agency held fireworks at midnight at five locations, including Greater Iqbal Park, Liberty Roundabout, and Gulshan Iqbal Park, and installed decorative light structures — including crescents, stars, and traditional lamps — at various sites. A musical night was also held to mark the occasion.
Faisalabad agency held an entertainment programme at Bagh-i-Jinnah featuring fireworks, family activities, and magic and musical shows, and installed light structures at various locations across the city.
In Murree, fireworks were held to mark the occasion while a cake-cutting ceremony will follow flag-hoisting today. Light structures have been installed at Kuldana Road, Bagh-i-Shaheedan, View Forth Road, Jhika Gali, the PHA office at Kashmir Point, and the Pindi Point. While similar celebrations are being organised in other cities of the province.
The spokesperson said that August 14 marked a reaffirmation of commitment to the country, calling on citizens to reflect on the sacrifices behind the nation’s independence even as they celebrate.
“PHA recognises the significance of Independence Day not just as a celebration of our freedom but also as a moment to renew our dedication to the well-being of our environment and future generations,” the spokesperson said, adding that the day’s festivities were part of a broader institutional mission, one that ties civic celebration to environmental stewardship.
Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026
