No celebrations as nation marks Independence Day today

[Neo]

No celebrations as nation marks Independence Day today

ISLAMABAD: Out of deference to the 14 million people affected by unprecedented floods no official celebrations will be held on country’s 63rd Independence Day today other than the hoisting of national flag.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and the military have scrapped the festivities. The national flag will be hoisted on government and private buildings. “The president has decided that he will hold no celebrations in the Presidency,” said president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar on Friday. He added the president will visit flood-affected areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Prime Minster Gilani has also scrapped official celebrations, however, he will hoist the national flag at the Convention Center, Islamabad.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani also announced scrapping of celebrations and said that the money saved would be spent on relief efforts. Saturday will mark 63 years since Pakistan’s creation in 1947, with the end of British colonial rule and partition of the Sub-continent. Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control will mark the Independence Day with special prayers in mosques for the stability, prosperity and security of Pakistan. agencies

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