LAHORE: The 79th Independence Day was marked across the metropolitan city of Lahore with traditional zeal and fervour with ceremonies, colourful cultural programmes and other festivities organised by public and private institutions.
The celebrations began with the 21-gun salute by the Pakistan Army followed by dozens of flag hoisting events and other activities at several venues. The events reflected the spirit of patriotism, with participants waving flags, wearing green and white and taking part in a range of activities.
Various major city roads and intersections, especially the Canal Road, The Mall, Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road witnessed unprecedented rush of people riding in cars and motorcycles waiving national flags and raising slogans.
“We are proud of our armed forces for defeating India in Marka-e-Haq, giving a new spirit to the Pakistani nation,” commented a biker while accompanying a bike rally on the Canal Road on Friday.
“We are a nation that will never forget this and always feel proud,” he added.
A huge number of people gathered at the Liberty Chowk in Gulberg later in the day to witness a variety of colourful events. A number of public and private institutions also organised flag hoisting and cake cutting ceremonies at various venues in the city.
Various organisations, including the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Lahore Horticulture Agency, a subsidiary of the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA), Suthra Punjab Authority (SPA), Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA), Lahore Development Authority (LDA), Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda), Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions (APFTU) among others organised ceremonies to mark the day.
The APFTU organised a gathering to mark the day at the Bakhtiar Labour Hall where a flag-hoisting ceremony was also held.
A resolution was also adopted, under the leadership of federation general secretary Khurshid Ahmed, demanding that the people be given prompt relief from inflation, poverty, unemployment and expensive electricity.
An I-Day ceremony was also held at the Divisional Public School (DPS) on the occasion where Lahore Division Commissioner Nouman Yousaf — chairman of the school’s trustees -- participated as a special guest.
During the DPS Independence Day celebrations, students presented tableaus, national songs, and various programmes.
A solemn flag-hoisting ceremony was also held at the new building of the Punjab Assembly.
Officers, staff members and children participated in the ceremony with great national spirit and enthusiasm.
The ceremony commenced with the sounding of a siren at 8:58am. Secretary General Chaudhry Amer Habib hoisted the national flag at the new building. The national anthem was played, followed by a special prayer for the security, prosperity and stability of the country.
Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026
