Wagah Boarder closes to public for Independence Day Parade

LAHORE: The Wagah border will be closed to the public for this year’s Independence Day parade and flag-lowering ceremony due to ongoing renovations at the Bab-e-Azadi (Gate of Freedom).

Earlier, in February 2024, Punjab’s caretaker government launched a project to renovate and expand the Bab-e-Azadi.

As a result of this construction, this year’s Independence Day parade by the Pakistan Rangers Punjab and the flag-lowering ceremony will be accessible to only a limited number of guests.

Banners at the site have informed the public of these restrictions.

The Wagah Border, which has evolved significantly over the past 77 years from a small checkpoint to a grand gate-like structure, features the Bab-e-Azadi with a prominent portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah facing India and walls depicting scenes from the 1947 migration.

The joint flag-lowering ceremony by Pakistan and India, a tradition since 1959, continues to attract thousands of spectators annually. However, public access will be restricted this year due to the construction.

The renovation project, approved by Punjab’s caretaker government, includes substantial upgrades to the Bab-e-Azadi and its facilities.

The redesign will reflect the Alamgiri Gate of Lahore’s Shahi Qila, with the addition of large LCD screens for improved parade viewing.

The parade ground will be expanded to hold around 18,000 spectators, and the parking area will be enlarged. The completed Bab-e-Azadi structure will stand approximately 120 feet tall.