LAHORE: The 81st Pakistan Day is being celebrated across the country with great zeal amid renewed and tighter coronavirus restrictions as overnight rain added a tinge of winter to the spring weather.
The day dawn with gun salutes in Islamabad and provincial capitals and special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, liberation of Kashmir from Indian yoke, and eradication of COVID-19. However, all outdoor ceremonies have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The day is being celebrated to commemorate the historic “Lahore Resolution” adopted on March 23, 1940, that led to the creation of Pakistan in a short span of seven years due to the tireless efforts of Muslims of the Indian sub-continent on August 14, 1947.
President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, in their separate messages, called on the nation to continue efforts to make the country a truly democratic and welfare state.
In his message President Alvi reaffirmed the resolve to make Pakistan an economically stronger and prosperous country.
He urged the people to remember the Kashmiris who are being subjected to the worst form of repression and state-sponsored terrorism.
President Alvi said that the key to durable peace in the region is the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his message on the occasion of Pakistan Day, reaffirmed his commitment to making Pakistan a humane, progressive, and prosperous state akin to Riyasat-i-Madina based on rule of law, meritocracy, egalitarianism, and compassion.
He said the day was a momentous occasion when the Muslims of the Sub-Continent decided to achieve a separate homeland to free themselves from the oppression and slavery of the Hindutva mindset.
Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed solidarity with the innocent people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are being subjected to the worst kind of oppression.
He said: “We salute their courage and will continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically for realisation of their right to self-determination under UNSC Resolutions.”
Boxer Amir Khan took to Twitter to “wish Pakistanis around the world a Happy Pakistan Day.”
Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Islamabad tweeted a message sent by President Vladimir Putin to Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Dr Arif Alvi on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
Earlier on Monday, the Pakistan Day Parade was rescheduled to March 25 due to inclement weather and rains forecast.
An ISPR press release said that the parade will be held “as per programme and timings already specified.”
Tributes are being paid to the leaders of the Pakistan Movement, including the Father of the Nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah and poet Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, for their vision and leadership for achieving a separate homeland for the Muslims.
A change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of poet Muhammad Iqbal where a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force assumed ceremonial guard duties.
The national flag is hoisted atop important and historic buildings which have been decorated with lights and buntings to mark the day.
