Celebrations Begin at Midnight
Pakistan is celebrating its 78th Independence Day with nationwide events reflecting patriotic passion and national pride. The festivities began at midnight, as streets, neighbourhoods, and public spaces across the country were decorated with the green and white national flag. Illuminations lit up major landmarks, and spectacular fireworks displays took place in cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta.
In many towns, residents poured onto the streets in large numbers, waving flags and singing national songs. Motorcycle rallies and youth parades added to the celebratory atmosphere, while families gathered to enjoy the night-time displays.
Morning Prayers and Gun Salutes
The official day began with traditional 21-gun salutes in Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, and provincial capitals. Mosques across the country held special dawn prayers for Pakistan’s prosperity, peace, and unity. In the federal capital, the early morning atmosphere was filled with the sound of national anthems as people headed towards public gatherings.
Government buildings, educational institutions, and markets prominently displayed the national flag, while children dressed in green and white participated in flag-hoisting ceremonies. Many citizens are also preparing for an extended public holiday this year, as Pakistan anticipates a four-day weekend in August amid Independence Day and Chehlum observances.
Central Ceremony in Islamabad
The main Independence Day event took place at the Jinnah Sports Complex in Islamabad. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, chiefs of the three armed forces, members of the federal cabinet, parliamentarians, foreign diplomats, and thousands of citizens attended.
The ceremony featured a grand military parade by contingents of the Pakistan Army, Navy, Air Force, Rangers, and Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prime Minister Sharif also unveiled a model of the Yadgar-e-Ma’raka-e-Haq (Memorial of the Battle of Truth), symbolizing the nation’s resolve in the face of challenges.
Honouring National Leaders
Special events were also held at historical sites. At Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, the mausoleum of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a solemn change-of-guards ceremony was performed by cadets of the Pakistan Military Academy. A similar ceremony took place at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore, attended by dignitaries and schoolchildren.
These events paid tribute to the leaders whose vision and sacrifices led to Pakistan’s independence on 14 August 1947, when the country was carved out of British India as a separate homeland for Muslims.
Leaders’ Messages of Unity and Resolve
In his Independence Day message, President Zardari described the occasion as a “symbol of sacrifice, courage, and unity.” He stressed that Pakistan had responded to India’s “unprovoked aggression” with both wisdom and strength, earning recognition from the international community as a peace-loving but determined nation unwilling to bow to pressure.
The military’s public relations wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), issued a statement calling the day a reminder of Pakistan’s unity and commitment to a brighter future. It emphasised that the armed forces celebrate the day as a tribute to the country’s founders and martyrs.
Historical Significance and Contemporary Relevance
Pakistan’s Independence Day serves not only as a celebration of sovereignty but also as a reminder of the hardships endured during the 1947 partition. Millions were displaced during the migration between the new state of Pakistan and India, and countless lives were lost.
In recent years, the day has also been seen as a moment to reaffirm commitments to democratic values, economic development, and national security amid political and economic challenges.
Public participation this year was particularly vibrant, with both rural and urban communities engaging in activities ranging from cultural exhibitions to charity drives, underscoring the enduring relevance of the day in Pakistan’s collective identity.
