LAHORE - The 69th Pakistan Day was celebrated through out Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir on Monday in a befitting manner. The day is celebrated each year to mark the adoption of resolution by the Muslim League at Minto Park, where Minar-e-Pakistan is now built, held under the chairmanship of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to create separate homeland for Muslims i.e. Pakistan, on March 23 1940. Seven years after, Pakistan came into being. It was a public holiday and all government offices, educational institutions, commercial and shopping centres were closed. People reiterated their pledge under the shadow of Minar-e-Pakistan, the tomb of Allama Iqbal and the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam to make Pakistan a prosperous Islamic democratic and welfare state in accordance with the vision of the Quaid. To mark the day 31-gun salute was given in Islamabad and 21-gun salute in all the provincial capitals and Muzaffarabad. Change of guards also took place at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam and tomb of Allama Iqbal in Lahore. The important public and private buildings were illuminated in the evening while Pakistan flag was hoisted in the morning. Special prayers were offered after Fajr prayers in mosques for the integrity, solidarity and prosperity of the country, unity of Muslim Ummah and the well being of the people. Prayers were also offered for peace, political stability and end of the current crisis in the country. A special investiture ceremony was held at the President's House where President Asif Ali Zardari conferred civil and military awards to a number of personalities in recognition of their meritorious services. Seminars, symposia and cultural shows were held in major cities and towns to highlight the significance of the day where the participants paid homage to the martyrs of the independence movement. Pakistan Radio, PTV and other private TV channels aired special programmes reflecting Pakistan Movement, while the newspapers also published special supplements. In Lahore, the PML (N) arranged a public function at Raiwind. On the other hand, Nazria Pakistan Trust in collaboration with Tehrik-e-Pakistan Workers Trust organised a special function at the Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tehrik-e-Pakistan. Various celebrities who participated in the Pakistan Movement were the guests of honour, while Dr Javed Iqbal chaired the session. Agencies add: In connection with the Pakistan Day, flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at Pakistani high commissions and embassies in foreign countries, which were attended by a large number of Pakistani expatriates. The governors and chief ministers of the four provinces also arranged receptions and distributed sweets among the orphans. Prisoners were also provided with free meal. However, the traditional parade of the day was cancelled due to security reasons. Meanwhile, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam, Father of the Nation, and placed floral wreath and offered fateha. On this occasion officers of all the three armed services and people belonging to various walks of life also visited the mausoleum and paid rich tributes to the great leader. An important ceremony of change of guards was held at the mausoleum of Allama Mohammad Iqbal. Air Vice Marshal Attiqur Rafique, who was the chief guest, placed floral wreaths besides offering fateha. People belonging to various walks of life also visited the mausoleum throughout the day for paying tributes to the great poet philosopher.