The 71st Independence Day of Pakistan is being celebrated today the country and in other parts of the world with a renewed pledge to safeguard the motherland against any threat.

According to Radio Pakistan, the pledge also include to make it a true Islamic welfare state as envisioned by founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The day dawned with thirty-one gun salute in the federal and twenty-one gun salute in the provincial capitals.

Special prayers were also offered for the prosperity, integrity and solidarity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah and success of the long drawn struggle of Kashmiris after Fajar prayers.

The main event of the day will be flag hoisting ceremony at Parliament House premises.

President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yong will jointly unfurl the national flag at the ceremony. The President will address the nation on the occasion. Radio Pakistan will broadcast a special day-long transmission on the Independence Day.