The day dawned with 21-gun salute by the Pakistan Army at Mahfooz Shaheed Garrison in the provincial capital on Pakistan Day.
The soldiers of Pakistan Army raised slogans of Allah-o-Akbar, Ya Rasoolul Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) and Pakistan Zindabad. Special prayers were also offered in different mosques in the city for peace, progress, prosperity of the country and unity of Muslim Ummah. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) took over guard duties at the mausoleum of national poet of Pakistan Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal from Rangers on Pakistan Day, here on Thursday.
A smartly turned-out PAF contingent took over guard duties from Satluj Rangers, said a press release issued here. Chief guest Air Vice Marshal Syed Imran Majid Ali, Air Officer Commanding Central PAF Airmen Academy, laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha at the grave of Allama Iqbal on behalf of Chief of the Air Staff, airmen and civilians of Pakistan Air Force. Pakistan Day is being celebrated at all PAF bases and installations with traditional zeal and fervor. The daylong celebrations started with special prayers for the solidarity, progress and prosperity of Pakistan and the Muslim world. Air Commodore Tanveer Ahmed, Base Commander PAF Base, Lahore was also present at the occasion. People from all walks of life witnessed the ceremony.
Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi laid a floral wreath at the Mazar-i-Iqbal (R.A) Hazuri Bagh on Pakistan Day. He offered Fateha at the Mazar and prayed for the integrity, progress, prosperity and stability of the country. Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi also recorded his comments in the ‘Visitors Book’. The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal (R.A) in glowing words. Moshin Naqvi remarked that Allama Iqbal presented the ideology of a separate homeland on the occasion of his Allahabad address.
Allama Iqbal through his poetry and thoughts awakened the Muslims of Indo-Pakistan from their slumber of negligence. Allama Iqbal transcended the regional boundaries and limitations and made humanity the focal point of his message. Mohsin Naqvi remarked that the message of the poet of the East ascertains the path of our guidance even today. Pakistan was the dream of Allama Iqbal (R.A) which was materialized by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (R.A). Today there is a dire need to comprehend Allama Iqbal’s concept of Pakistan in its true spirit.
Naqvi extended his sincere felicitations to the nation in commemoration of Pakistan Day. In a statement issued on Thursday, the CM acknowledged the historic significance of the day when the resolution for Pakistan was passed in 1940, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at Minto Park in Lahore, amidst the resolute determination of thousands of people for freedom. Pakistan Day serves as a solemn reminder of the unrelenting struggle and selfless sacrifices made by Muslims of the subcontinent towards attaining a separate homeland, he said and noted that the resolution for Pakistan united Muslims under a common objective and inspired them to give their blood, leave behind their homes and belongings, and light the torch of freedom.
The chief minister paid homage to the founding fathers of Pakistan, who made unparalleled sacrifices to establish a proud national identity. He emphasized that their sacrifices demand that the nation strives to achieve national goals through the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. The Pakistani nation has consistently displayed remarkable unity in the face of adversity and has emerged stronger from difficult situations, he added. Pakistan is our proud identity, he said. The CM pledged to safeguard the nation’s cultural heritage and national character. He concluded by urging the nation to renew its commitment to the country on this momentous day.
