Pakistan’s top leadership used the country’s 79th Independence Day on Friday to call for national stability, institutional reform and continued efforts toward regional peace. Celebrations unfolded nationwide with visible enthusiasm, as citizens gathered at mosques for special prayers seeking unity, prosperity and lasting solidarity for the country.
Official festivities opened with ceremonial gun salutes, 31 rounds in Islamabad and 21 in each provincial capital, followed by a formal guard-changing ceremony at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, the resting place of the nation’s founder.
President Zardari Honors Founding Leaders
President Asif Ali Zardari used his Independence Day address to honor Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the broader Pakistan Movement, recognizing those who sacrificed their homes and security for the country’s founding. He framed independence not merely as a historical milestone but as an ongoing duty passed between generations, urging citizens to build on the achievements of those who came before.
Referencing recent regional tensions, the president noted that Pakistan’s conduct during what he called Marka-e-Haq showed the country favors peace while retaining the strength to protect its sovereignty. He argued that genuine national strength should be used to prevent conflict and secure stability for citizens, rather than provoke confrontation.
Zardari also paid tribute to fallen members of the armed forces, police and other security personnel, crediting their sacrifices with protecting the nation from external threats and terrorism.
On foreign policy, the president pointed to Pakistan’s geographic position and diplomatic outreach as tools that have helped ease tensions during a period of heightened conflict risk in the Middle East. He reiterated that Islamabad views dialogue, not confrontation, as the appropriate path for resolving disputes, linking the country’s own security to broader regional and global stability.
Domestically, Zardari called for economic strengthening, expanded opportunities for young Pakistanis, and continued governance reforms, describing the country’s youth population as its greatest asset. He also renewed Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination in line with United Nations resolutions, while criticizing what he described as the Afghan Taliban’s tolerance of militant groups operating from Afghan territory against Pakistan, alongside allegations of coordination with India in attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces.
PM Shehbaz Highlights Economic Progress on Independence Day
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message emphasized pride in the sacrifices made by Quaid-e-Azam, poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal and other independence movement leaders, describing their contributions as the foundation of Pakistan’s freedom. He said the nation’s path toward development remained on track despite ongoing challenges.
The prime minister credited the government with steering the country toward economic stability over roughly two and a half years, pointing to a rise in overseas remittances of $11.3 billion during that period as evidence of growing confidence among expatriate Pakistanis in current policies. He identified technology adoption, industrial and agricultural innovation, and workforce skill-building as continuing government priorities.
Shehbaz also praised the armed forces, singling out the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during the recent Marka-e-Haq operations, describing the military’s response as unified and resolute. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to defending its national interests, including water rights, and highlighted the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye as a sign of the country’s expanding regional influence.
The premier expressed continued support for the Palestinian cause and for Kashmiris living under what Pakistan refers to as Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calling for a diplomatic resolution based on UN resolutions and international law.
Closing his message, Shehbaz paid tribute to fallen soldiers and law enforcement personnel, calling on all political parties and segments of society to unite around shared national priorities of development, stability and unity as Pakistan enters its 80th year.
