Pakistan is celebrating its 74th independence day with traditional zeal across the country. The change of guard ceremonies are held at Mazaar-i-Quaid and Mazaar-i-Iqbal. Flag hoisting ceremonies are held at public and private offices and special programmes are observed at the Independence Day. All the buildings and streets are decorated with flag of Pakistan. This day is celebrated to recall the sacrifices of the forefathers and those who fought and gave their lives for the separate homeland.

Pakistan was created by the continuous struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his followers. The idea of Jinnah behind the creation of Pakistan was to freely progress and grow however today, a part of country is under Indian occupation. The idea that gave birth to Pakistan was separate Muslim nation which was destined to grow but at present, our brothers and sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are facing extreme violence, brutality and restrictions. Last year Pakistan marked Independence of India as “Black Day’ to protest India’s move to scrap the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and gave a message to the world that unilateral and illegal act of Indian Government in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is just to suppress the people of Kashmir. Today, Muslim community in India is such excluded section of Indian social and political structure due to their religion that they are being labeled as 'anti-national'. Muslims don’t feel secure and are apprehensive in today’s India. In truth, India has a long history of marginalizing Muslims, which became the reason on the basis of which our forefathers struggled for separate homeland.

India and Pakistan, both the nations attained independence on 15th August 1947 from the British colonial rule. After the British rule was ended in British India, two nations India and Pakistan were created after 12 pm on 14th August on 15th August 1947. India celebrates its independence on 15th August while Pakistan initially celebrated its Independence Day on 15th August but after the death of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Quaid-e-Azam, the Independence Day was changed to 14th August. There is no doubt that the very first independence day of Pakistan was also celebrated on 15th August. Official holiday of Independence Day was also announced for 15th August 1948 and Press Information Department, Karachi also published “Independence Anniversary Series 15 August 1947 – 15 August 1948”. History gives the evidence that the Indian Independence Act of 1947 that created two separate nations confirms that India and Pakistan attained freedom from the British colonial rule on 15th August. The Clause 1 of the Article 1 titled "The new Dominians" states that, “"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."

Moreover, the founding father of nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah also declared 15th August as Pakistan’s Independence Day. He said in a radio address to the nation that "It is with feelings of greatest happiness and emotion that I send you my greetings. 15th August 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 Pakistan’s commemorative postage stamps were released in July 1948, which mentioned 15th August 1947, as its Independence Day. However, it remained unclear that why Pakistan’s government and leaders unanimously advanced the Independence Day. The last British viceroy, Lord Mountbatten in a press conference announced that 15th August would come as the Independence Day, hastening the transfer of power. Mountbatten announced transfer of power of governance over to Pakistan to Muhhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi that was to take effect at the same time in both the countries.

Historical speeches, documents and all the collections related to creation of Pakistan makes it obvious that Independence Day of Pakistan is 15th August, which has been advanced but the reasons behind this advancements are bizarre. Nevertheless, whatever the reasons are, today, the only thing that matters is that we got our separate nation but indeed, when we are celebrating Independence Day, we are deeply grieved by the sufferings of people of IIOJK who are facing military siege from last two years. Moreover, we cannot forget the immense sufferings of people, horrific violence on Muslims and struggle of our forefathers at the time of partition which left an unforgettable mark on the people of Pakistan and gives the message of faith and courage.