Dignified Flag-Hoisting and Change-of-Guard Ceremonies Nationwide – Pakistan Observes 78th Independence Day

KARACHI-ISLAMABAD – August 14, 2025:
Pakistan marked its 78th Independence Day with a series of solemn and patriotic flag-hoisting and change-of-guard ceremonies across the country. This year’s events carried added emotional weight, taking place in the wake of the nation’s recent military success in “Marka-e-Haq”, which has reignited national pride.

Mazar-e-Quaid – Karachi

The centerpiece of the day’s commemorations was the change-of-guard ceremony at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

• Guard Change: A smartly turned-out contingent of cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy assumed ceremonial duties, continuing the annual tradition of the Pakistan Navy taking over from Pakistan Army guards on Independence Day.
• National Salute: The newly deployed guards presented a crisp national salute to the Father of the Nation.
• Chief Guest: Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Tassawar Iqbal inspected the guards, laid a floral wreath, offered Fateha, and recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book.
• Flag Hoisting: Separately, Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah jointly hoisted the national flag at the mausoleum.

Islamabad – National Capital

The main flag-hoisting ceremony took place at the Pakistan Monument, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the national flag in the presence of Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and other dignitaries. The ceremony was part of the extended Marka-e-Haq and Independence Day celebrations that began on August 13.

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Lahore – Punjab Capital

In Lahore, a ceremony at Jilani Park saw the largest national flag in the city unfurled. Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah also visited the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, laid a floral wreath, and offered Fateha.

Provincial and Regional Ceremonies

• Quetta: Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai hoisted the flag.
• Dera Ismail Khan: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur led the flag-hoisting ceremony.
• Azad Jammu and Kashmir: At the President’s House in Muzaffarabad, President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry and Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq jointly hoisted the flag.
• Gilgit Baltistan: The main ceremony at Chinar Bagh, Gilgit, was led by Provincial Home Minister Shamsul Haq Lone.

National Salutes and Patriotism

The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals, marking the formal start of Independence Day festivities. Across Pakistan, official ceremonies were complemented by community celebrations, public gatherings, and prayers for national progress and security.

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With Marka-e-Haq fresh in public memory, this year’s Independence Day events carried a renewed sense of purpose, unity, and national pride.