LAHORE, Aug 14: Independence Day was celebrated with great fervour and solemnity by all army formations and units of Lahore Garrison on Tuesday, says a press release.

A daylong programme befitting the occasion was chalked out for the day. The day dawned with 21-gun salute at Fortress Stadium. Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at all formation headquarters and units of the garrison.

The national flag was hoisted at Lahore Corps Headquarters by Artillery Corps Commander Brig Sikandar Khan. Message of Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was read out to the troops at special gatherings.

A guard mounting ceremony was held at Mazar-i-Iqbal in which smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Rangers assumed the guard duties.

Later, Major General Aamer Riaz laid wreaths at Mazar-i-Iqbal to pay homage to the national poet and offered Fateha.

The Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) celebrated the day in a befitting manner. The Rangers Headquarters and Rangers House were illuminated and Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Director General Major General Mian Hilal Hussain was chief guest at a national day ceremony.

The Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) DG hoisted the national flag during a ceremony at Wagah border.

Also, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at PAF Central Air Command Headquarters, where Air Vice Marshal Asad Lodhi, Air Officer Commanding HQ Central Air Command, Lahore, hoisted the national flag and read out the message of the day from Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.