SIALKOT/BAHAWALPUR/HAFIZABAD/MANDI/BAHAUDDIN/BUREWALA/GUJRANWALA/SARGODHA/ATTOCK - National flag hoisting ceremonies, rallies, seminars, national song and declamation competitions were held across Punjab as the nation renewed the pledge to render every sacrifice for the integrity, solidarity and prosperity of the motherland on 75th Pakistan Day (March 23rd) celebrated with zeal and fervour here on Monday.
Special prayers were offered and Qurani khawani was held for the rest and peace of the founders of Pakistan, prosperity and development of the motherland and unity of the Muslim Ummah in mosques, imambargahs and other places.
In Sialkot, the main national-flag hoisting ceremony was held at historical Sialkot Fort under the auspices of the TMA. MPAs including Ch Muhamamd Ikram and Mansha Ullah Butt jointly unfurled the national. DCO Nadeem Sarwar and TMA Administrator Adnan Mehmood Awan were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony, MPAs - Ch Ikram and Mansha Ullah Butt declared that March 23rd, 1940 marked the culmination of a long struggle of Muslims of subcontinent to protect their separate identity. They said the day reminded the gigantic challenges the people of Pakistan had so willingly and wilfully taken up 75 years ago.
In Daska, MNA Sahibzada Syed Iftikharul Hassan Shah said Pakistan Day marked the realization of the dream, the poet philosopher of the East had envisioned for the Muslims of South Asia. “The day is a tribute to the leadership of our great leader Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who inspired the nation to achieve an insurmountable task,” he added.
In Bajwat-Sialkot, MNA Ch. Armughan Subhani said that the nation had rendered unprecedented sacrifices to achieve political independence and ideological freedom. He said “On this day of rejoicing, let us pay homage to our leaders of the Independence Movement who struggled with great courage and perseverance for a country of our own.”
In Sambrial, MNA Rana Shamim Ahmed revealed “because of their sacrifices today, we are enjoying the fruits of freedom.” “It is an occasion for immense gratitude, a day for renewing pledge to the country.” he added.
In Pasrur, MNA Zahid Hamid (former federal minister) extended his warmest felicitations and best wishes to the Pakistani brothers and sisters at home as well as those living abroad.
In Burewala, Pakistan Day was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and zeal. The day dawn with special prayers in mosques and people belonging to all segments of society held ceremonies to show love for the country. The main national flag hoisting ceremony was held at Jinnah Hall Tehsil Municipal Administration where PML-N MNA Ch Nazir Ahmad Arain along with MPAs Muhammad Irshad Arain, Muhammad Yousaf Kaseliya and other officers hoisted national flag. A smartly tuned out contingent of police presented guard of honour. Markazi Anjuman Tajraan, Burewala President Muhammad Jamil Bhatti, General Secretary Muhammad Saghir Ramay, PML-N leaders Riaz Aslam, Muhammad Aslam Malik, Naeem Sabir Chaudhry, Muhammad Shahid and Heads of different government and private educational institutions and students attended the ceremony.
In Mandi Bahauddin, people celebrated 75th Pakistan Day with zeal and fervour as various functions were held in Mandi Bahauddin, Phalia and Malakwal where the participants renewed their pledge to unite and support the armed forces to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country. Main function was arranged by PML-N Youth Wing at TMA Hall Mandi Bahauddin. Punjab Minister for women Empowerment Hameeda Wahid was the chief guest.
Meanwhile, Mustaqbil Pakistan held a function at Manzoorabad to celebrate Pakistan Day. Dozens of party workers and office bearers participated in the function.
In Bahawalpur, Pakistan Day was celebrated with the renewal of pledge to make the country strong, progressive and prosperous to justify the struggle and sacrifices of forefathers and Pakistan Movement heroes for this separate land for Muslims besides transforming it into a citadel of Islam.
A number of social, cultural, literary, political and religious organisations besides government departments and educational institutes including Islamia University organised different programmes to mark the day.
In Sargodha, the national-flag hoisting ceremony to mark Pakistan Day was held at Company Bagh Jinnah Hall. Sargodha Divisional Commissioner Capt (r) Mohammad Asif was the chief guest at the ceremony while DCO Saqib Manan, DPO Sajjad Hassan Manj, TMA Administrator Afros Rashid and others officer also attended the ceremony.
On the occasion, the police and civil defence contingents presented March Past.
In Gujranwala, Pakistan Day was celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm as many ceremonies were held at different places to pay tribute to the founders of Pakistan and renew the pledge to the prosperity and development of the motherland.
Similarly, a ceremony was held at Police Lines which was addressed by RPO Syed Dilawar Hussain and CPO Waqas Nazir. A rally was also taken out by the Sunni Tehreek which was led by city president Hafiz Tahir Raza. The PML-N also organised a ceremony at the resident of Senior Muslim league leader Khan Ghulam Dastgir Khan in which hundreds of workers participated. Christian community also held a mass prayer ceremony in which Masihi party Punjab president James M Naz and Salamat Bhatti led special prayer for peace and stability of the country.
In Hafizabad, Pakistan Day was marked in Hafizabad with national fervour. The day dawned with special prayers for the integrity and solidarity of the country and success of Zarb-e-Azb operation launched for the elimination of terrorists and extremist in the country after Fajr Prayers.
National-flag hoisting ceremony was held at District Complex where DCO Muhammad Usman unfurled the national flag. The ceremony was attended by a large number of people belonging to different segment of society including former federal Parliamentary Secretary Ch Afzal Hussain Tarar, DPO Shakir Hussain Dawar, Government Officials and boys and girls students’.

The activist of Jamaatud Dawa also took out a Nazria Pakistan rally in the city. The rally was led by District Ameer Abu Hanzala Sani, Sheikh Muhammad Saqi and President Markazi Anjuman Tajran Sheikh Muhammad Amjad.
After parading different roads the participants gathered at Fawara Chowk where speakers called upon the masses to shun their petty differences and unite on one platform for the progress, prosperity and stability of the country.
In Attock, March 23rd was celebrated with fervour and renewal of pledge to make Pakistan a strong and country. Speakers at different ceremonies declared that the resumption of Army parade a great achievement which they said would gave a lot of courage and confidence to the apparently disappointed nation. People belonging to different walks of life while talking to this scribe, said that after watching “this parade live on different channels gave us a great courage and message of patriotism and we are feeling that the defence of Pakistan is in safe hands.”
They said the parade had given a message of hope and patriotism to the nation. Meanwhile different functions were held in educational institutes to celebrate Pakistan Day. Sweets were distributed in different areas of Jand to mark the auspicious occasion.