Independence Day (Pakistan)

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Pakistan Independence Day
14 August
Next time14 August 2024 (2024-08-14)
FrequencyAnnual
First time14 August 1947 (76 years ago) (1947-08-14)
Related toPakistan Day

Independence Day (

Laylat al-Qadr may occur, is regarded as sacred by Muslims
.

The main Independence Day ceremony takes place in

national anthem and live televised speeches by leaders. Usual celebratory events and festivities for the day include flag-raising ceremonies, parades, cultural events, and the playing of patriotic songs. A number of award ceremonies are often held on this day, and Pakistanis
hoist the national flag atop their homes or display it prominently on their vehicles and attire.

History

Background

Jinnah chairing a session in Muslim League general session, where the Lahore Resolution was passed.[4]
Jinnah chairing a session in Muslim League general session, where the Lahore Resolution was passed.[4]
A stamp, white in the background, with Pakistan's national flag on it and "Independence Anniversary" written in bold and italic, in green colour, and "series" boldly written in black color, below the flag
Cover of a press release; "Independence Anniversary Series" by the Press Information Department of Pakistan, in 1947 in relation to the country's first independence day which was celebrated on 15 August 1947.

The area constituting Pakistan was historically a part of the

British Crown assuming direct control over much of the Indian subcontinent. All-India Muslim League was founded by the All India Muhammadan Educational Conference at Dhaka, in 1906, in the context of the circumstances that were generated over the division of Bengal in 1905 and the party aimed at creation of a separate Muslim state.[6]

The period after

Sindh, and Baluchistan. Like Iqbal, Bengal was left out of the proposal made by Rehmat Ali.[9]

In the 1940s, as the

British India, the Muslim League played a decisive role during the 1940s in the Indian independence movement and developed into the driving force behind the creation of Pakistan as a Muslim state in South Asia. During a three-day general session of All-India Muslim League from 22–24 March 1940, a formal political statement was presented, known as the Lahore Resolution, which called on for the creation of an independent state for Muslims.[4] In 1956, 23 March also became the date on which Pakistan transitioned from a dominion to a republic, and is known as Pakistan Day.[10]

Independence

In 1946, the

demanded a single state.[14][15] The All India Muslim League, who disagreed with the idea of single state, stressed the idea of a separate Pakistan as an alternative.[2][16]: 203  The 1946 Cabinet Mission to India was sent to try to reach a compromise between Congress and the Muslim League, proposing a decentralized state with much power given to local governments, but it was rejected by both of the parties and resulted in a number of riots in South Asia.[17]

Eventually, in February 1947, Prime Minister

British Commonwealth. Viceroy Mountbatten chose 15 August, the second anniversary of Japan's surrender in the World War II, as the date of power transfer.[19] He chose 14 August as the date of the ceremony of power transfer to Pakistan because he wanted to attend the ceremonies in both India and Pakistan.[19][20]

The

Hindu refugees trekked the newly drawn borders to Pakistan and India respectively in the months surrounding independence.[23]

On 14 August 1947, the new Dominion of Pakistan became independent and Muhammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as its first governor general in Karachi.[24] Independence was marked with widespread celebration, but the atmosphere remained heated given the communal riots prevalent during independence in 1947.[7]

The date of independence

Since the transfer of power took place on the midnight of 14 and 15 August, the Indian Independence Act 1947 recognized 15 August as the birthday of both Pakistan and India. The act states;[25]

"As from the fifteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-seven, two independent Dominions shall be set up in India, to be known respectively as India and Pakistan."

Jinnah in his first broadcast to the nation stated;[26][27]

"August 15 is the birthday of the independent and sovereign state of Pakistan. It marks the fulfillment of the destiny of the Muslim nation which made great sacrifices in the past few years to have its homeland."

The first commemorative postage stamps of the country, released in July 1948, also gave 15 August 1947 as the independence day,

27 Ramadan 1366 of the Islamic calendar, which Muslims regard as a sacred night.[31][32]

Celebrations

Pakistan Navy soldiers in a straight line are standing next to their national flag.
The change of guard ceremony takes place at various monuments throughout the country. Here the Pakistan Navy cadets salute the tomb of the father of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Girls lighting candles at midnight to celebrate the day
An office building in Islamabad illuminated by decorative lighting
The Minar-e-Pakistan sparkling in green colour against the dark background of night
Independence Day fireworks at the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore
Supreme Court of Pakistan illuminated on 14 August

Official celebrations

The independence day is one of the six

local governments which are attended by government officials, diplomats, and politicians. Public organisations, educational institutions, and government departments organise seminars, sports competitions, and social and cultural activities leading up to the independence day.[34] In Karachi, drives are initiated to clean and prepare the Mazar-e-Quaid (Jinnah Mausoleum) for the celebration.[35]

The official festivities take place in Islamabad and commence with the raising of the national flag on the

nazim (mayor) belonging to the respective constituency, and in various public and private departments, the ceremony is conducted by a senior officer of that organisation.[35] In 2017, the Pakistan International Airlines introduced a special in-flight jam session to entertain passengers traveling on Independence Day, featuring artists singing national songs on board a domestic flight.[42]

International figures including heads of state, public personalities and diplomats extend their messages of felicitation to Pakistan, and flag raising ceremonies are held across Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad.[43][44][45][46] Overseas dignitaries are invited as chief guests in ceremonies, while their military contingents often participate in parades.[41][47] On the international border, Pakistani paramilitary troops exchange sweets with their cross-border counterparts as a tradition.[48] National flags are displayed on major roads and avenues such as Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shahara-e-Quaideen, and Mazar-e-Quaid Road, leading up to Jinnah's mausoleum in Karachi. The Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore, where the Pakistan Resolution was passed in 1940, is fully illuminated on the eve of the independence day to signify its importance in the creation of Pakistan.[35]

Public celebrations

As the month of August begins, special stalls, fun fairs and shops are set up across the country for the sale of national flags, buntings, banners and posters, badges, pictures of national heroes, multimedia and other celebratory items. Vehicles, private buildings, homes, and streets are decorated with national flags, candles, oil lamps, pennants and buntings.[49][50] Businesses engage in rigorous marketing,[51] as do leading designer fashion outlets which stock independence-themed clothing, jewellery and self-adornments.[52]

The day begins with special prayers for the integrity, solidarity, and development of Pakistan in

national anthem is sung at various government places, schools, residences, and monuments on the day, and patriotic slogans such as Pakistan Zindabad are raised.[40] Musical concerts and dance performances are arranged both inside and outside the country, featuring popular artists.[51][55] Homage is paid to the people who lost their lives during the migration and riots which followed independence in 1947, as well as martyrs of the Pakistan Army and recipients of Nishan-e-Haider, and political figures, famous artists and scientists.[55]

Immigrant communities in Pakistan partake in the festivities as well.[56] In countries where there are significant Pakistani communities or which share strong relations with Pakistan, the national colours and flag of Pakistan are frequently illuminated on prominent structures, squares and public monuments as a show of celebration.[57][58][59] The Pakistani diaspora organises cultural events to celebrate independence day, and public parades are held in cities with large Pakistani populations, such as New York, London and Dubai.[60][61][62][63] In addition, some Kashmiris from Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir are known to observe the day, causing friction with Indian authorities.[64]

Security measures

Security measures in the country are intensified as the independence day approaches, especially in major cities and in troubled areas. The security is set up after various representatives of intelligence and investigation agencies meet. High alert is declared in sensitive areas such as the country's capital, to restrict security threats.[65] Despite this, there have been instances where attacks have occurred on independence day by insurgents who boycott the celebrations as a part of their protest.[66][67]

On 13 August 2010, the country witnessed floods causing deaths of 1,600 people and affecting 14 million lives. On account of the calamity, the president made an announcement that there would not be any official celebration of the independence day that year.[68]

In popular culture

From the beginning of August, radio channels play

Khaak aur Khoon (Dirt and Blood) by Naseem Hijazi describes the sacrifices of Muslims of South Asia during independence.[74] Dastaan, a Pakistani drama serial, based on the novel Bano by Razia Butt, also tells the story of Pakistan Movement and events surrounding the independence of Pakistan.[75]

Baha-ud-din Zakariya on 13 August 1997, commemorating the 50th independence day. On the front of the note a star burst is encircled by Fifty Years Anniversary of Freedom in Urdu and '1947–1997' in numerals.[76]

In November 1997, the 1997 Wills Golden Jubilee Tournament was held in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore to mark the golden jubilee. During the final of the tournament, Pakistan Cricket Board honoured all the living test cricket captains of Pakistan by parading them in horse-drawn carriages and presenting them with gold medals.[77] On 14 August 2004, Pakistan displayed the largest flag of the time with the dimensions of 340 by 510 feet (100 m × 160 m).[78]

Since 2011, the

doodles designed with Pakistani symbols to mark Pakistan's Independence Day.[79][80][81][82] Such symbols have included the star and crescent, national monuments and colours, historic and artistic representations, geographic landscapes and other national symbols.[83][84] Facebook allows its users in Pakistan to post an independence day status with a Pakistani flag icon on it or greets users in the country with a special message on the home page.[85][86]

See also

References

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External links