Independence Day Week begins from 8th

Karachi (PPI): The National Independence Day is celebrated on August 14 every year with full enthusiasm and fervor. The Prime Minister has approved the Independence Day celebrations 2009, for which an "Independence Day Week" will be celebrated form August 08 to 14. During this week, seminars, meeting conference, lectures, debates, speech contests at different academic level, besides inter-provincial exchange of visits of students. Exhibitions of books /articles, quiz competitions, qirat, naat, khawani, stage dramas and mushairas in national as well as local languages will be arranged with a view to highlight the Islamic spirit and democrat struggle for achievement of Pakistan and reflect upon national unity, integrity and solidarity. The programmes will be held with simplicity, grace and austerity. Firing of 31 gun salute at dawn at Federal Capital, Islamabad and 21 gun salute at all provincial capitals vis: Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. A dramatic pause at 09.58a.m. with sounding of sirens to herald the flag-hoisting at 10:00 a.m. All traffic (road, rail and sea) to stop for one minute. Flag-hoisting ceremony will contain the programmes by the Prime Minister at 10:00a.m. at the Jinnah Convention Center, Islamabad and playing of the National Anthem, independence day message to the nation by the Prime Minister at the flag hoisting ceremony, hoisting of the national flag on principal public/private buildings and major parks at 10:00 a.m. flag hoisting ceremonies at the provincial capitals by Chief Ministers in the morning and receptions in the afternoon at the provincial headquarters by the district nazims or whosoever hold the charge, followed by playing of the national anthem. Flag hoisting ceremonies would be held at Pakistan Missions aboard in the morning, followed by playing National Anthem. The public holiday throughout the country on August 14 will be the main features of the day. The celebrations will have a national perspective. Formal functions / celebrations would be held though religious, historical cultural and social activities at all level with public sector corporations industries, autonomous bodies, local governments, chambers of commerce and industry and tajir associations. Special advertisement would be published in newspapers/ periodicals and telecast in electronic media highlighting the theme of unity, the role of Pakistan, projection of the senior citizens who took the part in the independence movement. Promotion of national integration and social and cultural values would include the programs. Pakistan Missions aboard at their level will mobilize overseas Pakistanis to participate to the maximum extent possible. Publications of special supplements in leading national dailies of host counties in coordination with external publicity wing (EP) of the ministry of information and broadcasting would be carried out. Three thousand students of federal government education intuitions will participate in the flag hoisting ceremony. Boy scouts and girl guides would be actively participate in the celebrations. Special tree plantation ceremonies will also be organized on the day. Also the ministry of culture will display its artisans at Lok Virssa. Pakistan National Council of Arts will arrange exhibition of special photographs comprising historic documents and photographs of the heroes of freedom movement. Quaid-e-Azam Academy Karachi will arrange flag-hoisting ceremony, besides organizing lecture on Quaid-e-Azam and independence of Pakistan. Fateha offering ceremony will also be held at academy premise. People would participate in the celebration of the day at Mazar-e-Quaid. Sale/exhibition of publications on a special discount of 50% for general public at Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex Lahore, Mazar-e-Iqbl Lahore and Iqbal's old residence (116 Melcod Road, Lahore) will also be held. Ministries of Information, Education, Railways and sports will also organize and plan such programs on the independence day falling on August 14, 20009.