ISLAMABAD, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Excitement filled the air on Wednesday morning as schoolchildren, dressed in the white and green colors of the Pakistani flag, eagerly made their way to schools across the country to celebrate the 78th Independence Day through various ceremonies and events held at their schools.
"I decorated my home and classroom with the national flag-colored buntings and sang national songs with my friends to celebrate the day," Izhaan Abbas, a primary school student in Islamabad told Xinhua.
The day was celebrated nationwide and streets were adorned with green and white flags, while public buildings and landmarks were illuminated with festive lights.
At midnight, the night skies across Pakistan were lit up with fireworks, symbolizing hopes and dreams of a nation that continues to strive for a brighter future.
The day began with a 31-gun salute here and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals, setting the tone for the day's celebrations.
The day's highlight was the flag-hoisting ceremony, held at the Pakistan Monument Islamabad, where the country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoisted the national flag, accompanied by the chairman of the country's senate and senior officials.
In the Independence Day message, the prime minister said that through the selfless and continuous struggle of its founding fathers, Pakistan could cope with the monumental challenges it faced in the formative phase and achieve significant milestones.
"Pakistan stands at a crossroads today. While the common values, rich cultural heritage, and diverse traditions continue to bind us together, our economy continues to face significant challenges in the shape of inflation, high-energy costs, unemployment, and a growing debt burden," he added.
He said that since assuming power after the elections this year, his government's consistent focus is on creating the right conditions for economic growth and stability.
Pakistan's rich natural resources and a youthful workforce are its true assets, and the government is taking steps to attract investments to take full advantage of these resources that will create job opportunities, speed the pace of industrialization, and bring economic prosperity, he said.
"I am confident that together we will continue our journey with the spirit of independence for the benefit and welfare of our citizens. Through collaborative efforts, we all will work for an inclusive and prosperous Pakistan, for us and for our future generations, as envisioned by our founders," he added.
Throughout the day, patriotic fervor was palpable as people from all walks of life participated in various events and activities. Apart from educational institutions, government offices, and private organizations also held special programs, including speeches, national songs, and cultural performances, to commemorate the day.
In major cities, parades and rallies were organized to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage, and the streets were filled with the sounds of patriotic songs, and children waved flags as they joined in the festivities.
In the southern port city of Karachi, the mausoleum of the country's founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the focal point of celebrations where hundreds of people, including government officials and ordinary citizens, visited to pay their respects and offer prayers for the country's prosperity.
In addition to official celebrations, the day was marked by various community-driven activities. Non-governmental organizations and volunteer groups organized blood donation drives, tree-planting campaigns, and charity events to give back to society. Streets were filled with vendors selling flags, badges, and other patriotic paraphernalia, adding to the festive spirit.
Talking to Xinhua, Khadija Kanwal, a social activist in Islamabad said that despite the celebrations, the day also served as a reminder of the challenges Pakistan continues to face.
"This day is a powerful display of national unity and it is not only a celebration of our achievements but also a recognition of our strength as a nation to confront challenges and overcome them with unwavering commitment, hard work, and solidarity," she added. ■
