ISLAMABAD: The Nation is celebrating 78th Independence Day today with a renewed pledge to work with spirit of Pakistan Movement to make country a true Islamic welfare state.

The day dawned with thirty-one gun salute at the Federal Capital and twenty-one gun salute at provincial headquarters.

Special prayers were offered in mosques for peace, solidarity and prosperity of country.

The main feature of celebrations will be a national flag hoisting ceremony in Islamabad.

Similar flag hoisting ceremonies will also be held at provincial, divisional, district and Tehsil headquarters throughout the country.

Roadside stalls selling flags, badges, stickers, and clothes have been set up in all cities of country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday hoisted the national flag in a National Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at the Pakistan Monument in connection with 78th Pakistan Independence Day celebrations.

The ceremony was also attended by national Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem and Chairman Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani.

The prime minister laid a floral wreath at the Pakistan Monument to pay tribute to the country’s founding fathers and national heroes.