Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day celebrations began in Karachi on Wednesday with fervour under the theme Maarka-e-Haq.
Imran
Karachi
Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day celebrations began in Karachi on Wednesday with fervour under the theme Maarka-e-Haq.
The Sindh Culture and Tourism Department’s special Azadi Train, travelling from Karachi to Tharparkar, was inaugurated by Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Media Sharjeel Inam Memon along with Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
The train was adorned with national flags and banners depicting the Independence Movement. The ceremony opened with the national anthem.
On the occasion, local artists showcased their talents, and a 78-pound cake was cut to mark the 78th Independence Day. More than a hundred passengers, including showbiz personalities, political and social leaders, and media representatives, are travelling on the Azadi Train. On the first day, it will journey from Karachi Cantt to Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Chhor, reaching Zero Point in Tharparkar the following day. Participants will distribute national flags at each station.
On the occasion, Sharjeel Inam Memon said the Sindh government had, for the first time, organised celebrations of such scale, which he described as unparalleled. He said the armed forces and the nation together had inflicted a crushing defeat on India in the “war of truth,” shooting down its Rafale and other warplanes, and added that India had yet to recover from the shock.
He said the credit for the Independence Day celebrations went to the Culture Department and the Sports Department, which had organised grand shows in Hyderabad, Sukkur and Karachi. He added that a free musical concert for the public would be held at the National Stadium in Karachi today, featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and other renowned singers.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said Independence Day events had also been arranged for special children, while a laser light show was held at the Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum yesterday. He added that the Sindh chief minister had invited leaders of all political parties, setting an example of unity and solidarity.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said Quaid-i-Azam had taught the values of unity, discipline and faith, and that the Sindh government had always spoken for the poor. He said the largest housing project in the world had been launched in Sindh, while top-quality health facilities were also being provided. Pakistan, he added, was a peace-loving country with one of the finest armed forces in the world, and had never sought war. However, he warned that any hostile move would be met with a befitting response.
Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah told the media that the Sindh government was operating a special Azadi Train on the occasion of Independence Day, which would travel to various destinations over two days. During the journey, passengers would visit important tourist sites in the province. He added that a special ceremony had been arranged at Parchiji Veri in Tharparkar, where Independence Day would be celebrated in a grand manner.
He said the Culture and Tourism Department had launched the Thar Desert Train Safari, named the Special Azadi Train, to share the joys of Independence Day with the people. The train will return from Tharparkar tomorrow. He thanked the Sindh chief minister and noted that departments across the province were organising Independence Day programmes, including musical shows, cultural events and other special activities.
Zulfiqar Ali Shah added that a grand musical event would be held at the National Stadium in Karachi today, featuring performances by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and other renowned singers. He said the event was completely free for the public to encourage maximum participation in the national celebrations.
