New Delhi:
On the eve of India's 71st Independence, Pakistan is celebrating its 71 years of freedom on Tuesday - August 14 with patriotic zeal and fervour across the country. The celebration is expected to be double this year with PTI leader Imran Khan set to be sworn in as the country's new prime minister. He was among the newly elected members of the National Assembly, who took oath on Monday. The installation of his government on August 18 will be the second consecutive democratic transition of power in Pakistan's history.
"I want all Pakistanis to celebrate 14th August, our Independence Day, with full fervour — especially as we are now moving toward Naya (new) Pakistan and reclaiming Jinnah’s vision Insha’Allah (God willing)," Imran Khan wrote on Twitter.
"14 Aug 2018: On this Independence Day I am filled with the greatest optimism. Despite our grave economic crises, due to corruption & cronyism, I know if we are united in our resolve, we will rise to the challenge and Pak will become the great nation envisaged by our Quaid and Iqbal," Imran wrote in another tweet.
14 Aug 2018: On this Independence Day I am filled with the greatest optimism. Despite our grave economic crises, due to corruption & cronyism, I know if we are united in our resolve, we will rise to the challenge & Pak will become the great nation envisaged by our Quaid & Iqbal pic.twitter.com/T4EM7kToDE
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 13, 2018
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Meanwhile, the India-Pakistan relation got a booster on Tuesday as border guards from both the countries exchanged sweets at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day, August 14, 2018.
India & Pakistan border guards exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/Ixuhl2JLRL
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2018
The Pakistan Independence Day on Tuesday, August 14, started with 31 gun salutes in the federal capital, Islamabad, and 21 in all four provincial capitals., according to official sources. Documentaries, music, painting exhibitions, Horse and Cattle shows and sports tournaments have been organised in different parts of the country to add colour to the festivity, the sources said.
At 8:59 am the traffic came to a standstill for one minute as President Mamnoon Hussain hoisted the flag at the Convention Center in Islamabad. Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (R) Nasirul Mulk, federal ministers, speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly, parliamentarians, services chiefs, envoys of various countries also marked their attendance in the flag hoisting ceremony.
In an attempt to highlight the contribution of the heroes and martyrs in the freedom movement, various electronic and print media will pay tribute to their struggle for making Pakistan a reality.
Besides that, the nation will pay respect to Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah — the founder of Pakistan — at his mausoleum in Karachi. Netizens will organise special prayers for the progress, solidarity, peace and prosperity of the country in near future.
Read | Independence Day 2018: Delhi Metro to run special train to spread message of patriotism for two months
Meanwhile, lakhs of excited citizens continue to throng the colourful stalls, filled with the country’s green and white flags, shirts, badges and balloons. People aged between 8 to 80 have been buying these to showcase their zeal and patriotism towards the country.
