QUETTA Aug 14 (APP) The 63^rd Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated on Friday with enthusiasm, national zeal and fervor in the provincial capital and rest of the province. The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for the country’s stability and prosperity and well-being of Ummah.

The celebrations started with booming of 21-gun salute in the provincial capital.

The main event of the day was the befitting flag hoisting ceremony at the lawn of the provincial assembly where Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani unfurled the national flag followed by the playing of the national anthem.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Balochistan highlighted

the importance of the independence and said the nation is committed to safeguard

its independence, integrity and sovereignty at all cost. He stressed the need for

giving autonomy to all federating units in accordance with 1940 Pakistan Resolution and said it would greatly contribute in national progress, prosperity and stability.

The ceremony was attended among others by the provincial ministers, parliamentarians, senior government officials and notables. Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held in the High Court premises and Southern Command Headquarters, Balochistan Frontier Corps Headquarters and Quetta Electric Supply Company head-office.

Meanwhile, the Speaker Balochistan Assembly launched Independence Day Bicycle Rally by handing over the national flag to the cyclists participating in the rally.

Effective security arrangements were made in the provincial capital to avoid any untoward incidents on the occasion. Police and FC personnel kept patrolling in the parts of the city throughout the day. Besides several check posts were also established within and entry and exit points of the city.

Special arrangements were made to mark the Day in a befitting manner in all the district headquarters of the province.

In Harani, Balochistan Minister for Prisons Malik Sultan Tareen kicked off the Day celebrations by hoisting of national flag at the DCO office. A large number of citizens attended the ceremony.

In Dalbandin, the main function was held at the office of District Nazim where District Nazim Hashim Notezai along with the DCO hoisted the national flag.

Similar ceremonies were held at headquarters of Kalat, Noshki, Zhob, Pishin, Killa Saifullah, Shirani and other districts.

Earlier at midnight between Thursday and Friday thousands of people particularly youths from the parts of the province gathered in Ziarat valley where they held musical shows and folk dances to welcome the Day.