The nation Friday celebrating its 62nd Independence Day with great zeal, enthusiasm and renewed commitment to make Pakistan strong, progressive and prosperous. It is a public holiday. With the dawn of this day, special prayers were held in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country. Celebrations began with a 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21-gun salute in all the four provincial capitals. At 7.58 A.M, all vehicular traffic stopped for two minutes with the sounding of sirens and national anthem played at 8:00 A.M A change of the guard ceremony at the mausoleum of Pakistans founder Quaid-e-Mohammed Ali Jinnah also took place in Karachi, where an elegant and smart contingent of Pakistan Naval Academy assumed charge of the guard. Later, the Naval Academy Commandant laid wreath on the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan and offered 'Fateha for the salvation of the soul of the great Quaid of Muslims of sub-continent. The Independence Day celebrations, which kicked off midnight yesterday rose to it height this morning, which would continue for the whole day, as the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party as well as other major political parties are all set to celebrate the historic day in a dignified manner by hoisting national and party flags, while the electronic and print media have planned comprehensive programmes. The electronic media would present various programmes including national songs, talk shows, dramas and children programmes. The main event of the day will be a flag-hoisting ceremony in the Capital here. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will unfurl the national flag. Rallies, processions and colorful functions under the aegis of various public and private sector, social and political organizations in all small and major towns and cities of the country will be the hallmark of the day. Keeping alive previous traditions, all the government and private buildings have been illuminated. People, all over the country have decorated their houses, shopping centers and offices with national flags, banners, lightings, paintings and balloons, particularly in green and white colours. In the Federal Capital the main celebrations include flag hoisting ceremony at the premises of Lok Virsa, while the artisans would display their work, folk music performances at open air theater, photographic exhibition will be the other major features of the day. The Heritage Museum will remain open to public from 10.00 A.M. to 8.00 P.M. for local and foreign visitors.