ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day was celebrated across the country on Thursday with heightened patriotic fervor, fueled by the nation’s recent military success in the Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India earlier this year.
The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salutes in each provincial capital, followed by special prayers in mosques for the country’s peace and prosperity.
Main Ceremony in Islamabad
The central flag-raising event took place at the Pakistan Monument, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoisted the national flag in the presence of senior political leaders, parliamentarians, and schoolchildren.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister called on Pakistanis to embrace the unity that defined both the Pakistan Movement and the recent military operations. “Marka-e-Haq was more than a battlefield victory; it was the reaffirmation of our national identity and resolve,” he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in a separate statement, hailed the nation’s resilience in the face of “external aggression” and said the May victory had restored public confidence in state institutions and strengthened Pakistan’s standing internationally.
Nationwide Ceremonies
Independence Day events were held in all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In Lahore, Acting Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan led the flag hoisting at Governor House, while Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Fayyaz Hussain Shah paid tribute at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum.
In Karachi, Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah led celebrations at Mazar-e-Quaid. Similar ceremonies took place in Quetta, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit, with leaders honoring national heroes and martyrs.
A Call for Unity and Dialogue
The president and prime minister both urged the nation to rise above political divisions, safeguard national interests, and strengthen the economy. Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and dialogue, calling on India to engage sincerely in resolving all disputes, particularly Kashmir.
The leadership also reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, vowing continued political, diplomatic, and moral support for their right to self-determination.
Military’s Message to the Nation
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other service chiefs congratulated the nation, paying homage to the founders of Pakistan and pledging to protect its sovereignty and constitutional values. “We honor the sacrifices that made Pakistan a reality, and we remain steadfast as guardians of its security,” their statement read.
This year’s Independence Day, coming just months after a decisive military triumph, carried a sharper edge of national pride — and a reminder that unity remains Pakistan’s most potent strength.