Public Barred from Attending Independence Day Ceremony at Wagah Border Due to Renovations

Lahore:The annual Independence Day celebrations at the Wagah Border will see restricted access this year as the public will not be allowed to attend the flag-lowering ceremony and parade. This decision comes as a result of ongoing renovations at the “Bab-e-Azadi” (Gate of Freedom) which began in February 2024 under the then caretaker government of Punjab.
Wagah, located on Pakistan’s eastern border, is historically significant as the point where Muslim refugees entered Pakistan from India following the 1947 independence. Each evening, a grand and ceremonial flag-lowering event is held at the Wagah Border, attracting hundreds of visitors.
However, due to the ongoing construction work, which aims to enhance and expand the historic site, the public will not be permitted to attend the ceremony this year. The renovations are designed to improve the infrastructure, including the addition of large LCD screens for better viewing and expansion of the parade ground to accommodate up to 18,000 people. The “Bab-e-Azadi” will also be redesigned to resemble the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort and will stand at a height of 120 feet upon completion.
A limited number of special guests will be present at the event, while the general public will be able to watch the ceremony live on Pakistan Television (PTV). Notices informing the public about the restricted access have been displayed near the Bab-e-Azadi.
Over the past 77 years, Wagah Border has evolved from a modest checkpoint into a prominent site featuring a grand entrance and an extensive complex. The daily flag-lowering ceremony, which began in 1959, has become a major attraction, drawing millions each year. In 2017, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the then Army Chief, inaugurated Pakistan’s largest national flag at Wagah, which is visible from several miles away.