Independence Day (Pakistan)

"Fourteenth of August" redirects here. For the date, see 14 August.
Not to be confused with Pakistan Day.

Pakistan Independence Day
14 August celebrations at Minar-e-Pakistan
Fireworks at Minar-e-Pakistan during the 14 August celebrations, where the Lahore Resolution was Passed
Official nameیومِ آزادی (Yaum-i Āzādī‍)
Observed byPakistan and Pakistanis worldwide (Pakistani Diaspora)
Liturgical colorGreen
TypeNational day
SignificanceCommemorates the independence of Pakistan
CelebrationsParades, Award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs and the national anthem, speeches by the president and prime minister.
Date14 August
Next time14 August 2025 (2025-08-14)
FrequencyAnnual
First time14 August 1947 (77 years ago) (1947-08-14)
Related toPakistan Day

Independence Day (Urdu: ‍یومِ آزادی, romanized: Yaum-i Āzādī‍), observed annually on 14 August, is a national holiday in Pakistan. It commemorates the day when Pakistan achieved independence from the United Kingdom and was declared a sovereign state following the termination of the British Raj between the 14th and 15th August 1947. By the time of independence, Pakistan retained King George VI and after 1952, Queen Elizabeth II as head of state until its transition into a republic in 1956. The nation came into existence as a result of the Pakistan Movement, which aimed for the creation of an independent Muslim state in the north-western regions of British India via partition.[1][2][3] The movement was led by the All-India Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The event was brought forth by the Indian Independence Act 1947 under which the British Raj gave independence to the Dominion of Pakistan which comprised West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). That year the day of independence coincided with 27 Ramadan of the Islamic calendar, the eve of which, one of the five nights on which Laylat al-Qadr may occur, is regarded as sacred by Muslims.

The main Independence Day ceremony takes place in Islamabad, where the national flag is hoisted at the Presidential and Parliament buildings. It is followed by the 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.

  1. ^ Shehabuddin, Elora (2008). Reshaping the Holy: Democracy, Development, and Muslim Women in Bangladesh. Columbia University Press. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-231-14156-7. Ostensibly a homeland for all Indian Muslims, Pakistan was hewed out of the Muslim-majority regions of British India--Sind, Baluchistan, the Northwst Frontier Province, and West Punjab in the northwest and East Bengal in the east.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Khan2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Uk Heo (2007). Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts Since World War II. ABC-CLIO. pp. 591–. ISBN 978-1-85109-919-1. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.