The nation celebrates the 66th Independence Day with pledge to working for the progress and prosperity of the country and strengthening democracy. The day dawned with 31 gun salute in the federal capital and 21 gun salute at the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered for the prosperity‚ integrity and solidarity of the country. A smartly-dressed contingent of Pakistan Naval Academy took over guard duty at a change of guard ceremony at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi this morning. In Karachi‚ the flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Mazar-e-Quaid. On the occasion‚ the Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad Khan and the provincial Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah were the chief guests. And in Lahore a special flag hoisting ceremony was held at Wagha border. The Punjab rangers unfurled the Pakistan flag. A large number of people attended the ceremony. They chanted slogans and sang national songs to expressed their love for the country. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the mausoleum of Allam Iqbal to pay homage to the national poet. In Peshawar‚ Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti hoisted the flag at Police LInes. Several provincial Minister‚ MPAs‚ civil and military officers and elite of the town attended the ceremony.