Summary A Change of Guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam.
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI (Web Desk) - The nation celebrates Pakistan Day with renewed pledge to make the country a modern Islamic welfare state as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21 gun salute in provincial capitals.
Special prayers were held in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress, prosperity and solidarity of the country.
Political, social, religious and other organizations have arranged functions to highlight the importance of the Pakistan Resolution that paved the way for the creation of an independent homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.
The day is also being celebrated in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
In their separate messages on the occasion, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have urged the nation to reiterate its pledge towards ideals that led to creation of Pakistan.
They said we should sincerely follow the principles of unity, faith and discipline as a guiding force to face all the challenges.
President Mamnoon Hussain said we should always hold high the banners of democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law through which this state was created.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is passing through a critical stage but the resilient nation has braved the daunting challenges with unity.
He said the sacrifices laid down by the founding fathers of the country demand that every effort should be made for achieving the objectives of Quaid-e-Azam s vision.
One hundred and five notables from across the country and abroad would be conferred on Pakistan Civil Award today.
President Mamnoon Hussain would confer the National Awards (Civil) on thirty individuals including five foreigners, at the investiture ceremony to be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr Islamabad.
The Governor Punjab would decorate twenty recipients of National Awards (Civil), at a ceremony in Lahore.
Twelve recipients of National Awards (Civil) would be conferred by Governor Sindh at a ceremony in Karachi. In Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor would award nine recipients.
Five nominated individuals would receive their National Awards (Civil) from Governor Balochistan in a ceremony in Quetta.
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee would decorate twenty five recipients of National Awards (Civil) tomorrow (Monday) in Rawalpindi.
Three foreign nationals including a Pakistani expatriate will be awarded by the Heads of Pakistan Missions located in the countries of respected recipients.
A change of guard ceremony is being held at the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi.
Governor Sindh Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah visited tomb of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
They offered fateha for his departed soul and laid floral wreath at the Mazar.
Cabinet members were accompanying the Chief Minister during the visit.
A change of guard ceremony was held at the Mazar of Allama Iqbal in Lahore on Sunday morning.
A contingent of Pakistan Air force took over the duties from Pakistan Rangers.
