Pakistan celebrated its fifty-seventh Independence Day Saturday amid record security measures. Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. The day began with firing of 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salute in all the provincial capitals, namely Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. The main event of the day was the flag hoisting ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at the Convention Center building in Islamabad. In an address on the occasion, the prime minister urged the nation to show tolerance, dissent, accommodation and forbearance and called for creation of an atmosphere of understanding and tolerance for progress of Pakistan. Hussain said Pakistan would continue to progress under the able guidance of President General Pervez Musharraf. He said Musharraf's economic policies were about to start paying dividends to the people. The prime minister said Pakistan needs a political culture of tolerance, consultation, understanding and brotherhood among the provinces. Hussain highlighted government's achievements in industry, agriculture, education and health sectors saying that the fruit of the success will soon reach to the people.
