Karachi: Pakistan commemorated its 78th Independence Day on Wednesday with nationwide celebrations.
The day was marked by rallies, fireworks, and various ceremonies, including flag hoistings and changing of the guard rituals, held across the nation.
In the capital city of Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari presided over the flag-hoisting ceremony at the President's House. The central event took place at the Pakistan Monument, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside his Cabinet members, also raised the national flag, as reported by state-run Pakistan Television.
Similar observances were held in the four provincial capitals, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad, while the provincial capitals observed a 21-gun salute. At 7:59 a.m. local time (0259GMT), traffic came to a standstill as sirens sounded across the country, followed by the national anthem.
In Karachi, the changing of the guard ceremony took place at the mausoleum of the nation's founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, while in Lahore, a similar ceremony was held at the tomb of national poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal.
On the eve of Independence Day, thousands of young people filled the streets, waving green and white national flags in a spirited display of patriotism.
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