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Pakistan marks Independence Day amid worst floods

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Pakistani navy soldiers march at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam to mark the 64th Independence Day in Karachi Aug. 14, 2010. The government and the people in Pakistan have decided to keep the 64th Independence Day celebrations low profile and simple on Saturday to keep the focus on rescue and relief activities amid the country's worst-ever floods. [Xinhua]

The government and the people in Pakistan observed the Independence Day with simplicity keeping all celebrations low profile on Saturday to show solidarity with flood- affected people after the country's worst-ever floods killed over 1,300 people and left millions homeless.

Addressing the nation on its 64th Independence Day, Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani urged people to stand up to face flood challenges expressing deep grief over the loss of thousands of precious lives and 20 million stranded people by country's historical devastating flood.

According to the prime minister, at least 1,384 persons have been confirmed dead and 1,630 injured so far in Pakistan's worst- ever floods in 80 years.

The prime minister said the government canceled all celebrations to express solidarity with the flood-victims. All Ramazan Iftar dinners and Eid celebrations have also been canceled so that the money could go to the flood-victims, he said.

Pakistan's Independence Day is observed every year on Aug. 14, the day on which Pakistan got independence from the British rule in 1947.

Pakistani people and government usually celebrate the day with full zeal and zest. Streets, bazaars, government offices, educational institutes, main buildings, houses, public parks, and all other important places are decorated with flowers, lightings, balloons, banners and national flags. But this year all functions and prepared programs have been canceled by the government and civil society.

People showed less interest in buying the products related to the Independence Day celebrations as the whole nation is sad due to the flood devastation. They also shifted their budget towards donation to help the flood-hit.

In spite of a gloomy atmosphere in the country, some live- hearted people celebrated the day with full swing. They said the nation should not be sad in this tough time but stand up to show solidarity.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari also called for helping flood victims on the Independence Day.

"The best way to celebrate the Independence Day this year is to reach out to the victims of this natural disaster, heal their wounds and help them to help themselves," said Zardari, in his message delivered to the nation.

Meanwhile, Pakistani army canceled all celebration activities and events to save the money for the welfare of the flood-affected people.

The citizens of capital Islamabad could not see the march-past by Pakistani army in the parade ground in front of the president house as it was canceled by authorities.

Pakistani air force also canceled its air shows on the Independence Day.

Majority of Pakistani people are supporting the government decision to cancel all programs and ceremonies on the occasion.

A change of the guard ceremony at the tomb of Pakistan's founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah took place in Pakistan's southern coastal city of Karachi.

Chief Ministers of all provinces hoisted national flags in the provincial capitals on the start of the day.

Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab, and Pakistani army personal placed flower wreaths at mausoleum of the great national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal in eastern city Lahore.

The United Nations appealed Wednesday for nearly 460 million U. S. dollars in emergency aid for victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday to visit the flood-hit country.

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