Pakistan has been celebrating the 60th anniversary of independence with low-key festivities for a country in the grip of political and religious turmoil.
Prayers and a national minute of silence marked the day for many. The mood was sombre and serious around the country with security forces on high alert after weeks of unrest and bloodshed.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz led a solemn flag-raising ceremony in the capital Islamabad to mark 60 years since Pakistan, now the world's second-largest Muslim-majority nation, achieved independence from the UK.
All eyes were on General Pervez Musharraf, the military president who is facing the greatest challenge to his rule since he seized power in a 1999 coup.
Accused of trying to skirt the constitution to remain as head of the army as well as engineer re-election as president, Mr Musharraf used his Independence Day message to urge Pakistanis to vote in elections expected by early next year.
Last week, he denied considering establishing emergency rule to try to cope with a wave of public anger and Islamist unrest that have threatened to destabilise the nation.
In recent weeks, a raid on a radical mosque in Islamabad followed by a suicide bombing at a public rally left around 200 people dead.
The president has also come under increasing criticism from close ally the US for allowing Pakistani territory to be used by Taliban and Al-Qaeda cells to plan attacks in the region and around the world.
But as the first celebrations began last night President Musharraf went on national television and reassured his handpicked audience that he would fight terrorism seriously.
He also rejected US suggestions that they might launch a unilateral strike on Pakistani territory to target militants.
