President Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday hoisted the national flag at an Independence Day event here and said that every single drop of blood of the people martyred due to terrorism is a loan on the nation.

The president and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also attended the event at the Jinnah Convention Centre in the capital, which was also attended by the chiefs of the three armed forces.

The president in his address said that in the war against terrorism the entire nation is standing side by side with the armed forces.

Pakistan's future is in a strong democracy that would ensure progress, prosperity, and development of the country, he said.

“Our hearts are sad over the Quetta incident,” said President Mamnoon Hussain on the recent massive tragedy in which 73 people lost their lives.

He said that the families bereaved by the Quetta incident should not consider themselves alone.

He also said that the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb is in its last stage, adding that the results of the military operation are encouraging under the National Action Plan.

The president in his address also expressed solidarity with Kashmiris. “We should not forget our Kashmiri brethren on the Independence Day,” he said.

He said that political, moral and diplomatic support would continue for the Kashmiris.

The president urged the nation to stand united and rise above petty differences and carry on the mission of Tehreek e Pakistan, with a commitment in the next phase to make Pakistan a strong democratic entity.

At the event, national anthem was also recited.

Pakistan is celebrating its 70th Independence Day today with national zeal and fervor.