National Holiday Celebration: President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Call for National Unity to Establish a Fair and Equal Pakistan
Pakistan is celebrating its 79th Independence Day today, marked by a series of festivities, cultural events, and symbolic displays that highlight the nation's rich heritage, diplomatic ties, and recent military successes.
The celebrations began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial headquarters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unfurled the national flag at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad.
In his address, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan's freedom, as well as to the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal and the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The key points and achievements highlighted during the celebrations include the unity, culture, and community spirit that were evident in the vibrant displays of Pakistani folk music, dance, art, and cuisine, notably at the major event titled "Emirates Loves Pakistan" held in Dubai. This event attracted over 60,000 participants, including diplomats and Emirati dignitaries.
Another significant achievement emphasized was Pakistan’s recent success in the Marka-e-Haq conflict, which is regarded as a golden chapter proving the nation’s strength and resilience. Leaders credited this victory with boosting national pride and unity. The military’s courage during the conflict was widely praised, reaffirming the unbreakable bond between the armed forces and the people, and their commitment to protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
International goodwill and cooperation were also evident during the celebrations. Diplomatic missions celebrated with zeal, and foreign countries, especially Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations, extended congratulations, stressing growing bilateral ties, economic cooperation, and regional peace. The Pakistani diaspora also played an important role in fostering relations, such as in Iran where the community supports boosting bilateral trade to $10 billion.
Symbolic displays and public festivities marked the Independence Day celebrations. These included flag-hoisting ceremonies, national songs, cake-cutting, prayers for peace and prosperity, and iconic gestures like lighting up Dubai’s Burj Khalifa with the Pakistan flag, symbolizing friendship and celebration between countries.
In his message, the President, Asif Ali Zardari, celebrated this Independence Day with a sense of renewed pride and hope. He stated that the nation's success in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos is a landmark moment in Pakistan's history. Despite numerous challenges, Pakistan achieved a series of milestones of success and achievements in various fields.
In their messages, the military leaders honoured the indomitable spirit, resolute determination, and unparalleled sacrifices of the founding fathers under the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They paid solemn tribute to the visionaries, statesmen, and soldiers who laid the foundations of Pakistan.
The Armed Forces of Pakistan extended heartfelt felicitations to the nation on Independence Day, reaffirming their unwavering resolve to safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, uphold the Constitution, and protect the values that define the nation's identity.
