ISLAMABAD, Aug 14 (DNA): Nation celebrates 75th Independence Day
Saturday with renewed resolve to work with the spirit of Pakistan
Movement to make the country a true Islamic welfare state.

The day dawned with thirty-one gun salutes in the Federal Capital and
twenty-one gun salute in the provincial headquarters. Prayers were being
offered for security and progress of Pakistan and well-being of the
people.

National flag is hoisted at all important public and private buildings.

The main feature of the celebrations was a national flag hoisting
ceremony at President House Islamabad. President Dr. Arif Alvi was the
chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the nation after unfurling national flag, President Alvi said
Pakistan is an emerging nation which is on the course of rapid
development.

The President said that the country is on the right direction and is all
set to become a strong nation. He stressed the need to inculcate a hope
in the nation and reject all sorts of negative propaganda and fake news
against the country.

Paying glowing tributes to struggle and sacrifices of founding fathers,
President Arif Alvi recalled that the country achieved major successes
in different fields and surmounted many challenges ever since its
independence.

He pointed out that Pakistan successfully tackled the menace of
terrorism and our security forces, society and the people deserve
appreciation for defeating the terrorism.

Similar flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at provincial,
divisional and district headquarters level throughout the country.

Public and private buildings as well as streets, bazaars and markets
have been profusely illuminated.

National flags, buntings, portraits of founding fathers, posters and
banners are also seen everywhere as part of the celebration of
Independence Day.

In their separate messages on the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi and
PM Imran Khan have called upon the Pakistani nation to remember their
Kashmiri brothers and sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and
Kashmir (IIOJK) struggling for their right to self-determination under
extremely adverse circumstances marked by illegal Indian occupation and
unspeakable repression.

They said that Pakistan will continue to extend its full support to the
Kashmiris in their just cause. Kashmiris are looking up to the
international community to fulfill the promises made to them.

“On this Independence Day, we also reaffirm our commitment to continue
our moral, political and diplomatic support to the cause of the Jammu
and Kashmir dispute. I assure my Kashmiri brethren that Pakistan would
continue to stand by them till the achievement of their right to
self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security
Council’s resolutions. I also urge the international community to play
its role to compel India to stop committing human rights abuses against
the innocent Muslims of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and
fulfil its commitment to grant Kashmiris their right to
self-determination,” said President Alvi.

“On this occasion, we should not forget our Kashmiri brothers and
sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)
struggling for their right to self-determination under extremely adverse
circumstances marked by illegal Indian occupation and unspeakable
repression. Pakistan will continue to extend its full support to the
Kashmiris in their just cause. Kashmiris are looking up to the
international community to fulfil the promises made to them,” said Prime
Minister Imran Khan. DNA

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