The nation celebrated 72nd Independence Day on Tuesday with renewed pledge to make the country a true Islamic welfare state.

The day dawned with thirty-one gun salute in the Federal Capital and twenty-one gun salute in the provincial capitals.

Change of guard ceremony was held at Mazar e Quaid in Karachi Tuesday morning.

Cadets of Pakistan Navy took charge of their duties at the Mazar.

National flag is hoisting at all important public and private buildings.

Radio Pakistan and other media are broadcasting special programmes to mark the day.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (Retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk jointly hoisted national flag at Convention Centre in Islamabad to mark the Independence Day celebrations.

Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at all provincial capitals and big cities across the country.

PUNJAB

A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Punjab Assembly Tuesday morning on the occasion of Independence Day.

The Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan hoisted the flag.

Addressing the ceremony, he urged the masses to play their due role in eliminating anti-state elements from the country.

He said that we will not let the sacrifices of our elders and leaders of independence go waste.

The Speaker said that we should point out our mistakes and chalk out the future plan of action in order to transform the country according to the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam. 

Meanwhile, a dignified ceremony was held at the Railways Headquarters in Lahore in connection with the Independence Day.

The Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Railways, Muhammad Aftab Akbar hoisted the Pakistan flag in the ceremony.

The CEO of the railways also planted a sampling in the lawn of the headquarters.

A large number of railways employees were present in the ceremony.

A flag lowering ceremony was held at the Wahga Border near Lahore Tuesday evening.

The Pakistan Rangers lowered the flag in an impressive manner.

Besides the army officers and jawans, a large number of people belonging to different walks of life attended the ceremony.

SINDH

Acting Governor Sindh Agha Siraj Durrani and Caretaker Chief Minister, Fazal ur Rehman along with Provincial Cabinet members visited Mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi today (Tuesday).

They laid floral wreath on the mazaar and offered Fateha.

On the occasion, they paid rich tribute to the father of the nation.

In connection with the Independence Day celebrations, a boat rally was organized by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency in collaboration with Pakistan Navy in open sea in Karachi.

Nearly one hundred boats of fishermen participated in rally, which were decorated with Pakistani flags, buntings and green & white colors.

Meanwhile, Traffic Police of Karachi carried out flag march across the city on the occasion Independence Day.

Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at Pakistan Rangers Sindh Sector and Wing Headquarters.

Director General Pakistan Rangers Sindh, Major General Muhammad Saeed also visited Mazaar-e-Quaid and laid floral wreath and offered Fateha.

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

A function in connection with the Independence Day was held at Governor House in Peshawar where Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra hoisted the national flag.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that peace has been restored due to unprecedented sacrifices of the security forces and people.

A function in connection with the Independence Day was held at the Headquarters of Frontier Constabulary in Peshawar.

Commandant Frontier Constabulary Liaqat Ali Khan hoisted the national flag.

Speaking on the occasion, he lauded the sacrifices rendered by our forefathers for the creation of Pakistan.

Families of the martyrs also attended the function.

Similarly, a vehicular procession was also taken out from Haji Camp Peshawar to mark the Day.

A function in connection with Independence Day was also held at Torkham near Pak Afghan border.

The speakers highlighted the struggles of national heroes during the Independence movement.

They said the sacrifices rendered by leaders of Pakistan movement would always be remembered.

Later, Pak Army personnel exchanged gifts with the Afghan forces at the border.

QUETTA

In Quetta, a rally was taken out on Independence Day from main Mastung Chowk which terminated at Imdad Chowk.

The participants also hoisted three kilometre-long national flag at Balochistan Bridge on Sariab road.

BALTISTAN

The Independence Day of Pakistan is also being celebrated in all four districts of Baltistan division including Skardu, Kharmang, Shigar and Ghanche with national spirit and enthusiasm.

In Skardu, a rally was taken out from Hameed-Ghargh Chowk to New Yaad-Gaar-e-Shuhda where Speaker Gilgit Baltistan Assembly, Haji Fida Muhammad Nashaad hoisted the national flag.

Later, they also addressed the event.

Many other events including speech competition among schools and colleges, and exhibition of local handicrafts and arms exhibition were also held in the area.

Polo and Football matches were also played in Baltistan to mark the day.

AJK

In Azad Kashmir, flag hoisting ceremonies were held at all Districts and Tehsil Headquarters.

Main ceremony of the Day was held in Muzaffarabad where AJK President Sardar Masood Khan and Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan hoisted national flag.

Speaking on the occasion, AJK President and Prime Minister paid rich tributes to father of the nation and other leaders and people who laid down their lives for creation of Pakistan. 

NEW DELHI

The 72nd Independence Day of Pakistan was also celebrated with national spirit and enthusiasm at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Pakistan flag was raised by High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood at an impressive flag-hoisting ceremony.

Addressing the participants, the High Commissioner said peaceful relations with all neighbors, including India, have been accorded high priority in the foreign policy vision outlined by the incoming leadership in Pakistan.

He said the phone call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan is another positive development. He hoped that such steps on both sides will create a space for betterment of bilateral ties.

The High Commissioner underlined that the Quaid-e-Azam envisioned a democratic, modern, moderate, economically-strong, and Islamic welfare state.

He said each successive generation contributed to the realization of the Quaid's vision.

Students of the Pakistan High Commission School presented national songs and tableau on the occasion.

CHINA

The Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with national spirit and enthusiasm at the Pakistan Embassy Beijing.

Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid hoisted national flag to mark the day. The National Anthem was played.

Addressing the Pakistani community, Ambassador Khalid said Pakistan and China are enjoying comprehensive and pragmatic relations and China has emerged as a reliable neighbour and partner of Pakistan.

He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a reality and benefits of Belt and Road Initiative are visible.

The Ambassador to China said the CPEC is a long-term plan and will bring prosperity and peace to Pakistan as well as the region.

ANKARA

The 72nd Independence Day of Pakistan was also celebrated in Ankara with traditional fervor.

Ambassador of Pakistan Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi hoisted the national flag on the tune of national anthem in the presence of the Pakistani community, students, and Embassy officials and their families.

In his remarks on the occasion, Syrus Qazi said 14th August is an important day in the history of the Sub-continent, as on this day, the dream of Pakistan became a reality.

The special messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were also read out on the occasion.

USA

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Ali Jahangir Siddiqui has felicitated Pakistanis on the Independence Day.

In his video message on Twitter, the ambassador said it is the day to remember sacrifices of our forefathers and that to what extent we have achieved the goals.

Addressing the Pakistani-Americans, Ali Jahangir Siddiqui hoped that they will continue to engage with Islamabad and be involved in building future of the country.

FRANCE

A simple and dignified flag hoisting ceremony was held at Pakistan Embassy in Paris to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day.

Members of Pakistani community, staff of the Embassy, their families and media persons attended the ceremony in a large number.

Ambassador Moin-ul Haque, in his address, paid rich tribute to founding fathers for their tireless efforts and countless sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan.

He said with the successful elections and peaceful transition of power, democratic institutions in the country have been strengthened.