Islamabad:  Pakistanis celebrated country's diamond jubilee with traditional zeal and fervor with commemorative ceremonies being held in different cities.

Day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in provincial headquarters. Prayers were offered for security and progress of Pakistan and well-being of people, report said.

A change of guard ceremony was also held at mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam in Karachi. State Bank of Pakistan also unveiled design of Rs 75 commemorative banknote for country's diamond jubilee.

According to central bank, note will be available for public issuance from September 30. "Note has portraits of Quaid-i-Azam, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah to recognise and acknowledge their contribution in Pakistan Movement. Markhor on note's reverse highlights our focus on environmental sustainability," SBP said.

Celebrating 75 years of independence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to transform country into an economic power. Addressing flag-hoisting ceremony at Jinnah Convention Centre here, he stressed need for a national dialogue and developing consensus on a charter of economy in order to transform Pakistan into an economic power. "If we can become a nuclear power, we can also become an economic power but for it we have to strive day and night and prove to world that we are no less than anyone," he said. "Pakistan Movement is a lesson for everyone," he said, adding that no amount of hurdles could deter a nation from achieving its goals once it decided its path. PM urged nation to play a role in country's development by following Quaid-i-Azam's principles of unity, faith and discipline.

He said that nation should identify mistake of past in order to avoid repeating them in future. Later, PM visited Pakistan Sweet Homes and took part in a cake-cutting ceremony, along with announcing a gift of buses for institute's transport needs.

In his message to the nation, President Dr Arif Alvi echoed similar sentiments as the prime minister as he said “we need to remain united to overcome financial, economic and security challenges faced by the country. Let us pledge that we will remain steadfast to render any sacrifice for the dignity and self-respect of our people and greatness and glory of our beloved homeland."

Felicitating the nation on the joyous occasion of the 75th anniversary of Independence, the president said that the day reminded him of the unmatched sacrifices rendered by the founding fathers of Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the creation of a motherland. “Today, we also reaffirm our resolve to uphold Pakistan’s ideology and transform Pakistan into an ideal modern Islamic welfare nation-state,” he added.

He said: “Although today, Pakistan is facing challenges on economic and political fronts, I strongly believe that our nation will overcome these challenges with its proven commitment.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 15 2022

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