ISLAMABAD -UNS: Pakistan is celebrating 76 years of independence today (Monday) with patriotic zeal and fervour, with commemorative ceremonies being held in cities across the country.
The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in the provincial headquarters.
Change of guard ceremonies were also held at Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi and Mazar-i-Iqbal in Lahore.
President Alvi calls for unity
Further, a flag hoisting ceremony was also held at Convention Center in Islamabad where President Dr Arif Alvi was the chief guest while Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf were also in attendance, Radio Pakistan reported.
Addressing the ceremony, President Alvi called for Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s message of “unity, faith and discipline” to be truly followed. He expressed confidence that Pakistan could become a developed country in a few years.
The president urged politicians and other stakeholders to embrace the path of forgiveness, stressing the importance of embracing Islam’s core values. “My demand to the leaders of this country is to be united,” he added.
Dr Alvi highlighted the necessity of breaking free from nepotism, promoting meritocracy, and ensuring comprehensive justice, particularly in the socio-economic sphere, in order to progress.
Regretting that 27 million children were out of school, he urged the affluent class to come forward and make arrangements for their education.
The president further emphasised the need for the greater participation of women in economic activities, noting that they “constitute almost half of the population”.
While paying tribute to the sacrifices made by “our forefathers in order to give an impetus to the struggle aimed at strengthening Pakistan”, President Alvi recalled the efforts made by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal, the Quaid and Fatima Jinnah.
Reaffirming the commitment to continue the struggle against terrorism, the president noted that about 100,000 people had lost their lives in the war against terrorism.
On the occasion, President Alvi also talked about held Kashmir, urging the international community to pay attention to the resolution of the issue in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
The president also expressed his gratitude to friendly countries — including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China, Iran and Turkiye — for supporting Pakistan during difficult economic times.
Dr Alvi also strongly lamented the Islamophobic incidents in Western countries, referring to the multiple recent incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark.
In a separate message, President Alvi reiterated the need for national unity to surmount social, political, economic and security challenges.
“Let’s resolve that we will not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the security, prosperity and development of the country,” the president said.
Alvi extended congratulations to all compatriots and urged a renewed commitment towards building a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan, as “envisioned by the Father of the Nation”.
“I urge my fellow countrymen to work for the welfare and uplift of deprived sections of our society. Let’s pledge to uphold the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, forgiveness, socio-economic justice, and moral and ethical values, as enunciated by Islam,” the president said.
On this important day, the president said, the nation should also remember their oppressed brothers and sisters in held Kashmir, who have been facing Indian atrocities for decades.
“We stand with our Kashmiri brethren and assure them of unwavering and continuous political, diplomatic, and moral support for their legitimate right to self-determination,” he reiterated.
