ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday hoisted the national flag in a dignified ceremony held at Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad to mark the celebrations of 70th Independence Day of Pakistan.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chinese Vice premier Wang Yang, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, a large number of parliamentarians, diplomats, students and people from different walks of life.
During the ceremony, national anthem and national songs were played.
Ustad Raees Ahmed also presented a blend of his marvelous instrumental performance.
Meanwhile, the nation is celebrating Independence Day today with a renewed pledge to safeguard the motherland against any threat and make it a true Islamic welfare state as envisioned by founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The day dawned with 31 gun salute in the federal and 21 gun salute at the provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered for the prosperity, integrity and solidarity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah and for the success of the long drawn struggle of the Kashmiris after Fajr prayers.