Pakistani nation celebrates 76th Independence Anniversary with a renewed pledge to work with the spirit of Pakistan Movement
Special prayers offered in mosques for peace, solidarity & prosperity of the country
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Pakistani nation celebrated 76th Independence Anniversary on Monday with a renewed pledge to work with the spirit of Pakistan Movement and make the country a true Islamic welfare state.
Special prayers were offered in mosques for peace, solidarity and prosperity of the country. A one minute silence was observed throughout the country with sounding of sirens to herald the flag hoisting ceremony at 9:00 AM.
The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in the provincial headquarters. Change of guard ceremonies were also held at Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi and Mazar-i-Iqbal in Lahore.
President Dr. Arif Alvi, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) President Asif Ali Zardari, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extended heartfelt congratulations to the nation on the occasion of 77th Independence Day.
The day commenced with special prayers for the country’s prosperity and unity, an apt prayer given the turmoil on the political and economic fronts.
As the country marked the day with a national holiday, various public and private sector departments had geared up to host a range of special functions and activities, including seminars, discussions, photographic exhibitions, artistic displays of paintings and poetry, national song renditions, and vibrant debate competitions to reflect on the monumental feat achieved 76 years ago.
Cities across the country had turned green and white colour with Jashan-i-Azadi stalls carrying dresses, flags, buntings, pin badges, toys, and other decorative accessories to attract youngsters and children.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Islamabad’s Convention Centre to commemorate the Independence Day. President Dr. Arif Alvi unfurled the national flag and later addressed the gathering. It was followed by the recitation of National Anthem.
The ceremony was attended amongst others by Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani and Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, President Dr. Arif Alvi congratulated people on Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day anniversary. “On this day, we pay tribute to the sacrifices rendered by our founding fathers and workers of the Pakistan Movement,” the president wrote.
“The stories of those people, who faced hardships, endured oppression and braved immense challenges to reach Pakistan, serve as a source of inspiration for our future generations,” he wrote, adding that the sacrifices of our forefathers should be valued.
“76 years ago, on this day, Pakistan gained independence after the historic struggle of the Muslims of the sub-continent under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
“The Muslims of India wanted a homeland for themselves where they could freely order their individual and collective lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
This day marks the culmination of a democratic and political struggle in our quest for freedom from colonial rule,” he wrote.
Reflecting on the significance of this day, he wrote that it gives us the opportunity for introspection.
“We should reflect on the nation’s progress so far, prevailing challenges, and opportunities for growth. It is a time to renew our commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan as envisioned by the Father of the Nation.”
He then urged people to pledge to uphold the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, forgiveness, socio-economic justice, and moral and ethical values, as enunciated by Islam.
“On this important day, let’s also remember our oppressed brothers and sisters in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), facing Indian atrocities for decades.”
“India’s illegal actions, including ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special legal status in 2019, have further deteriorated the human rights situation in the valley in the form of extra-judicial killings, torture, and illegal detentions,” he stated as he reaffirmed the country’s dedication in standing with our Kashmiri brethren.
He further urged the entire Pakistani nation to work wholeheartedly for the country’s development.
“There is a need to unite to cope with the social, political, economic and security challenges facing the Nation today. So, let’s resolve that we will not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the security, prosperity, and development of the country,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the nation is celebrating the 77th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.
In his message for Independence Day, he said on this auspicious occasion, he extended his heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation, including overseas Pakistanis.
“This day holds a special significance in our hearts, for this historic day saw an unprecedented freedom struggle culminating in the establishment of the State of Pakistan.
“Today, we pay rich tributes to the men, women and children who got together under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to struggle for the creation of a land they could call home,” he stated.
“In the process, they established a glorious example of commitment and devotion to the cause of Pakistan. I also take this opportunity to pay homage to the Quaid-e-Azam’s visionary leadership and other leaders without whom the dream of Pakistan could not see the light of day.”
“The nation will eternally remain indebted to them for gifting us with the precious gift of freedom,” the PM said, adding the freedom struggle for a separate homeland represented an idea whose time had come, an idea rooted in self-assertion and hope of a better tomorrow.
It was for a country where our people could explore their potential and live in peace in line with their glorious traditions, ethos, culture, and values.
The idea of Pakistan was much bigger than we can imagine, the PM maintained, adding it was an aspiration shaped by a fear of living under the majoritarian principle advocated by Congress.
PM Shehbaz further said there was no denying the importance of the many milestones we have achieved in the last seven and a half decades, often against opposing circumstances.
“We have faced the worst natural disasters, conflicts and wars and always managed to build back better. All along the way, we have jealously guarded the gift of freedom that we so passionately prize,” he added.
He also recognised the importance and the urgency of Kashmir’s struggle for freedom that spans well over seven decades.
“As we celebrate Independence Day, we stand in complete solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K), who are waging a struggle for their right to self-determination.
“Pakistan remains committed to providing political, moral, and diplomatic support to them. Despite a four-year military siege and complete information blackout, the people of IIOJ&K have displayed remarkable resilience and defiance against the Indian oppressive apparatus,” he said, calling upon the international community and human rights organisations to take note of the rights abuses in IIOJ&K.
Our stance remains firm, advocating for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in line with the UN resolutions, recognizing the right of Kashmiri people to decide their own future through a free and fair plebiscite.
“The spirit of independence continues to inspire Pakistanis to overcome challenges and work towards a nation that embodies the principles of justice, equality, and prosperity for all,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that pledging loyalty to the Constitution means acknowledging the supremacy of the Parliament as the authentic court of the people.
“On the occasion of Independence Day, a pledge should be made to ensure the rule of the people according to the philosophy of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan,” he said in a statement on the eve of Independence Day.
Asif Zardari said today that the leadership and workers of the PPP renew their pledge to make Pakistan a democratic and welfare state according to the ideology of Quaid-e-Azam, for which Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had fought.
He added that Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto fulfilled the dream of Quaid-e-Azam in the form of the 1973 Constitution.
Moreover, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the day is also the occasion to ask ourselves whether today’s Pakistan has succeeded in achieving all the goals that our founding fathers had set and dreamed of at the time of its establishment.
“In the light of the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, we still have a long way to go and work hard to establish a strong federal democratic state and a society based on tolerance and equality,” he said.
The PPP chairman added that his party is the true torchbearer of the ideology and principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was a unique democrat and statesman who believed in religious tolerance.
“Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s gift of a unanimous constitution to the nation is a reflection of Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of the state of Pakistan and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto fought her entire life to free the country from dictatorship and protect the rights and freedoms of the people and embraced martyrdom during that struggle.”
Bilawal extended greetings to the nation on Independence Day and expressed good wishes for all Pakistanis.
He said today is the day to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his companions who struggled for freedom under his leadership and made sacrifices.
“August 14 symbolises making the impossible possible through peaceful political and democratic struggle,” he added.