Lahore: Since 1948 we have been celebrating 14 August every year as Pakistan’s Independence Day. During this time Pakistan has gone through a roller coaster ride. From wars to secession, different hues of democracy to Martial Laws, politics to anti-Pakistan movements; the yet Pakistani nation has stood together when Independence Day arrives. This year was no less; everyone was celebrating the day with full zeal and joy even frenzy on some people’s part. However the methods of festivity have changed over the years.
Early morning flag raising ceremonies and parades were held across Pakistan which were hoisted and reviewed by the president, Governors, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers. Awardswere given to the those who had laid down their lives in the line of fire and those who made sacrifices for Pakistan and were received by their families.
The crème de la crème this year being the Pakistan Army verses Pakistan Cricket Team match, with the COAS hitting the first ball bowled by Shahid Afridi, and who later witnessed the match; and the second was the surrender of about 400 militants in Quetta who then raised the Pakistan flag.
Every road and open place had stalls selling Pakistani flags of all sizes, badges, wrist bands, caps and balloons in green and white. People from all walks of life were seen buying these and putting them up to add colors of patriotism to their homes, wrists, shirts and little kids were having their cheeks painted with the green and white flag.
Youth came out on the streets with decorated cars and green and white dresses. Families visited parks and took joy rides to enjoy the day. Restaurants were decorated with green and white streamers and balloons! Fashion boutiques had gone all the way in making dresses according to the Independence Day celebrations. A pedestrian perhaps echoing the sentiments of the nation said, “We are witnessing such celebrations after a very long time, this has been only possible due to the efforts of Chief of the Army Staff Raheel Sharif.” A shopkeeper said, “We have never sold so many balloons since I am working in this business as we sold today.” A father of a family said, “I come from a family that has given sacrifices during partition, but I had lost all hope of Pakistan ever improving. But today I can say, we are going in the right direction atlast.” A friend went badge shopping around midnight and was told the stall had run out and the stall holder had sent his brother to get more things who would be back in an hour smiled and said do come, there will be enough for the whole city!
Even social media was in the most festive mood, Facebook and Twitter users had changed their display pictures to the national flag; statuses expressing love and respect for Pakistan were posted; pictures were made by designers, they were shared on media which got thousands of shares and more thousands of likes.
All sales proceeds from Haier Azadi Cup b/w Army & Pakistan 11 presented by me 2 Gen Raheel Sharif for FATA IDPs pic.twitter.com/gF83ExTwPz
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 14, 2015
#HappyIndependenceDay.Our course is set & dir clear. Watch Jashan-e-Azadi show live fm convention centre Isb at 0900 a.m,an #ISPR production
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 14, 2015
14th August celebrations organized by Pak Association Dubai, what an eccentric atmosphere it was #AzadiMubarak pic.twitter.com/YT34nyqJ4y
— Ali Sufian (@VolAliS) August 14, 2015
They hurt us on 16th Dec and we are replying back on 14th August! #14thAugustWeHangEnemies #APS #PakistanIndependence #PakistanZindabad
— Hammad Azam (@azam__hammad) August 13, 2015
Jam packed area around Mazar Quaid - a peaceful Karachi triggers this fearless celebrations - thank you LEA's #AzadiMubarak
— Awab Alvi (@DrAwab) August 14, 2015
Independence day celebration at Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi, India. #PakistanZindabad #AzadiMubarak pic.twitter.com/BjFJqn4nBs
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) August 14, 2015
Flag hoisting ceremony at Convention Center, Islamabad in pictures http://t.co/gny2iawfdV #14August #AzadiMubarak pic.twitter.com/DAxqFK0jrI
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 14, 2015
First time ever today, that I felt Yes let's celebrate. #AzadiMubarak
— Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan (@Aitzaz77) August 14, 2015
400 militants in Balochistan surrender up arms on the Azadi day in Quetta. #AzadiMubarak > http://t.co/YGaEE5deqA pic.twitter.com/8r3aulBcRs
— Pakistan Defence (@defencepk) August 14, 2015
Happy birthday Pakistan. Proud of our soldiers our LHW our labourers our farmers proud of our awam #PakistanZindabad #AzadiMubarak
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) August 14, 2015
On #14August,1947 #MustafaAliHamdani announced the Independence of Pakistan on Radio Pakistan #AzadiMubarak pic.twitter.com/lU89T9s1iW
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 14, 2015
Like the past years this year was a bit different in the multimedia arena also, a lot more videos were made by people to show what Pakistan and Qauid e Azam meant to them.Many people also thanked the minorities for their sacrifices in making and keeping Pakistan the country that it is today on the Independence Day 2015.
