GILGIT, Oct 31: The 55th independence day of Gilgit-Baltistan will be celebrated on Friday with full zeal and fervour.

An elaborate programme has been chalked out to mark the day. The day will dawn with special prayers for the integrity, solidarity and progress of the country in all mosques.

Students rallies will be held at Gilgit and Baltistan which will march towards the Yadgar-i-Shudha at Chinar Bagh where wreaths will be laid at the graves of martyrs who laid down their lives for the liberation of Gilgit-Balistan from despotic Dogra regime in 1947.

Flag hoisting ceremony will also be held which will be performed by Saif-ur-Rehman, advisor for Education and Revenue department.

Various functions including seminars, speech contest and a variety of other programmes will also be held in connection with independence day. Besides the administration NAs various social and cultural organizations have also been organized different programmes to mark the day.—APP