Lahoris celebrate 70th Pakistan Day

* Day dawns with a 21-gun salute by Pak Army, people pray for country’s prosperity and safety
* PAF officials lay floral wreath at Allama Iqbal’s grave, offer fateha

LAHORE: The city’s residents on Monday celebrated the 70th Pakistan Day with traditional fervour, as the national holiday offered Lahoris an opportunity to take part in various patriotic activities and events being held at different historical places. The day dawned with a 21-gun salute by an artillery unit of the Pakistan Army. The celebrations began with special prayers for the country’s progress, safety and the welfare of its people in mosques across the city after the Fajr prayers. An impressive guard mounting ceremony was held at the mausoleum of national poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal. A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) took over guard duties from the Sutlej Rangers, who otherwise perform this duty throughout the year.

Iqbal’s ideology: Air Vice Chief Marshal (AVCM) Suhail Amaan laid a floral wreath at Iqbal’s grave on behalf of the chief of the air staff, while the PAF officials offered fateha. The AVCM wrote in the guest book at the poet’s mausoleum, “The Pakistan Air Force is guarding the country’s borders following Allama Iqbal’s ideology”. A huge number of people – including students – gathered at Zero Line, Wahga border for witnessing the flag hoisting ceremony and the annual parade, while an equally big crowded also assembled at Minar-e-Pakistan, Minto Park where the Pakistan Resolution was passed on March 23, 1940, which paved the way for a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent. Social, religious and literary organisations arranged functions across the city that ran throughout the day, and newspapers published special supplements to mark the occasion. Radio and television channels also aired special programmes to mark the day. Earlier, on the eve of Pakistan Day, security was beefed up across the city to ensure that no untoward incident marred the March 23 celebrations. Law enforcement agencies’ personnel – in plain clothes – were deputed at all important places and buildings for keeping check on any anti-state elements. The Lahore Police’s special commandos were also deputed for regular patrolling in areas declared ‘sensitive’. All of the entry and exit points of the city were sealed and security personnel checked every suspicious person travelling both in public and private vehicles. staff report