ISLAMABAD, March 22: Pakistan Day will be celebrated with enthusiasm across the country on Sunday with a renewed pledge to turn Pakistan into a progressive Islamic welfare state.

The day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for the prosperity of the country and liberation of Kashmir and other occupied territories of the Muslims.

A Pakistan Day parade at the Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad will be the highlight of the day. President Pervez Musharraf will be the chief guest on the occasion.

Agencies add: Other events include Qirat, debate and essay competitions, and rallies by Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and screening of documentary films regarding the Pakistan Movement for schoolchildren and the general public in cinema houses.

Meanwhile, several world leaders have extended greetings to President Musharraf.

Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, President George Bush of the United States, Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in their messages conveyed their best wishes to the people of Pakistan.

Queen Elizabeth also extended her “best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the government and people of Pakistan in the coming year”.

President Bush said: “The people of the United States and the people of Pakistan have a long history of cooperation for common goals.”

He said: “We look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with Pakistan to advance democracy and to combat the common scourge of terrorism.”

The Indian president said: “I am glad to note that our mutual efforts to strengthen bilateral relations through a substantive process of dialogue and people-to-people exchanges are bearing fruit.”

“I am confident of the success of our continued efforts as our people have shown their strong desire for peace and harmony between our two countries,” she said.

Queen Beatrix conveyed her best wishes for the wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.