Independence Day (Pakistan)

The flag of Pakistan, at the mount of the National Monument in Islamabad.
Also called	Yom-e-Istiqlal (Urdu) یوم استقلال
Observed by	Pakistan
Type	National
Date	August 14
Celebrations	Flag hoisting, flying kites[citation needed], award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs, entertainment and cultural programmes, mass marches, speeches, distribution of presents in schools etc.

Pakistan's independence day (also known as Yom-e-Istiqlal (Urdu: یوم استقلال )) is observed on 14 August, the day before Pakistan was made an independent country based on border lines created by the British during the end of their rule of India. Pakistan became an independent country in 1947. The day is a national holiday in Pakistan. The day is celebrated all over the country with flag raising ceremonies, tributes to the national heroes and fireworks taking place in the capital, Islamabad. The main celebrations takes place in Islamabad, where the President and Prime Minister raise the national flag at the Presidential and Parliament buildings and deliver speeches that are televised live. In the speech, the leaders highlight the achievements of the government, goals set for the future and in the words of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam, bring "Unity, Faith and Discipline" to its people.

History

Independence of Pakistan was officially announced on Thursday, August 15, 1947 at 12:00 a.m. but the ceremony itself took place half an hour early on the actual day.^{[citation needed]} This day is celebrated 1 day earlier in comparison to India even though the independence granted by the British Raj to both countries at midnight on 15 August 1947.

Independence Day was not celebrated on 14th August 2010 as a show of moral support to those affected by the 2010 Pakistan floods. All official Military and Government events that are traditionally held on this day were also scrapped to divert the expenditure incurred by these events to flood relief. ^[1]

Celebrations

The Minar-e-Pakistan fully lit to commemorate the independence of Pakistan from the British Empire

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, Mohammed Ali Jinnah

Students lighting candles at midnight to bring luck and hope for the future.

14 August is a National holiday of Pakistan. In the capital Islamabad and in all major cities of Pakistan the Government Offices are lit up as well as all the larger skyscrapers. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the provincial capitals. In the cities around the country the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by the Nazim (Mayor) belonging to that constituency. In various private organisations the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is carried out by a Senior officer of that organisation. Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hoisting ceremony and various cultural activities within their respective premises. Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centres, and societies hold entertainment programmes and competitions.

Other events include: Changing of the guard at the mausoleum of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mazar-e-Quaid, Wagah Border ceremonies, fashion and musical concerts, both sides releasing prisoners that may have crossed each others borders.

See also

• Holidays in Pakistan
• Pakistani nationality
• Dil Dil Pakistan
• Republic Day (Pakistan)