Little patriots, big celebrations as KP wears white and green on independence day

PESHAWAR, Aug 14 (APP): The morning sun cast a warm joyful glow over Peshawar as green-and-white flags fluttered in the breeze and people, families, students and government officials gathered to celebrate Pakistan’s independence day with great national enthusiasm.

Among the crowd stood seven-year-old Ismail Khan, dressed in green and white, a small Pakistani flag in his hand and the national colours painted proudly on his left cheek. Holding his father’s hand, he watched intently as the national flag was hoisted in air along colourful ballons.

For most adults, the ceremony was a familiar Independence Day ritual. For Ismail, however, it was the fulfilment of a childhood wish.

When the flag rose into the morning sky at Civil Secretariat Peshawar and the police musical band struck up a patriotic tune, the boy’s face brightened. He stood respectfully during the national anthem with his father, but as soon as the music continued, his excitement overflowed. He began dancing, smiling and waving his little flag.

“Seeing flag-hoisting ceremonies and the police musical band was my long-wished-for dream,” Ismail said, dancing with jubilation. “A big thank you to my Papa for fulfilling my childhood dream today.”

For a few moments, the ceremony seemed belonged to the child. Around him, schoolchildren sang patriotic songs, their voices rising above the gathering. Songs including Dil Dil Pakistan and Sohni Dharti Allah Rakay brought wave of patriotism and excitement, while children waved miniature flags and joined in the singing.

The scene captured the uncomplicated joy with which small children like Ismail often experience Independence Day: a day of music, colours, flags, family outings and the feeling of being part of something much larger than themselves.

Across metropolitan Peshawar, similar scenes unfolded at a number of prominent locations, including Governor House, Police Lines, Railway Station, Islamia College Peshawar, University of Peshawar and the offices of the commissioner and deputy commissioner.

Large numbers of people, students, youth and government officials attended the ceremonies, where the national flag was hoisted amid patriotic songs and messages highlighting the significance of independence.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held at deputy commissioner offices across all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the seven merged tribal districts.

By midday, green and white had become the dominant colours of the city. Flags fluttered from rooftops and public buildings, while smaller flags were fixed to cars and motorcycles. Children in green-and-white clothes moved through bazaars holding flags, wearing badges and showing off colourful Independence Day accessories.

In Peshawar’s markets, particularly the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, shopkeepers displayed merchandise associated with Jashn-e-Azadi. Green-and-white wristbands, caps, scarves, horns, sunglasses, brooches, stickers, ribbons and decorative pins attracted children and families.

For children, choosing an accessory was itself part of the celebration. “Pakistan is our beautiful homeland” At a shop in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, young Malaika Khan (12) carefully looked through rows of Independence Day accessories while her mother helped her make a selection.

The girl spoke with the confidence of someone much older. “Pakistan is our beautiful homeland and we are proud to be Pakistani,” Malaika said. “Let’s love our country, respect our elders, help others and work hard to make Pakistan strong and successful.”

Her mother watched as daughter picked through the colourful display and said Independence Day should also remind parents of the responsibility of raising responsible citizens.

“As we celebrate the 80th Independence Day of Pakistan, I want children to remember that freedom is not only a gift but a responsibility,” her mother Sumbul Bibi told APP.

He said Pakistan had been achieved through the numerous sacrifices, courage and determination of countless people, adding that her greatest wish was to see children grow into honest, responsible and compassionate citizens.

“Love your country, respect its people, value its diversity and always stand for truth and justice,” she said, raising the slogan, “Pakistan Zindabad.”

For families like Malaika’s, the accessories may be inexpensive and temporary, but the conversations taking place while buying them carry a deeper meaning that is work hard for Pakistan.

Another child, Ibrahim Khan, was also busy selecting Jashn-e-Azadi accessories at a nearby shop at Qisakhwani flooded with Jashin-e-Azadi accessaries. Amid the excitement of choosing flags and colourful badges, he offered a reminder that celebration also comes with responsibility.

“While flags and accessories create a festive atmosphere, they should be used respectfully,” 10 years old Ibrahim said. “The national flag should never be allowed to touch the ground, be damaged or be treated as waste after the celebrations.”

“Independence Day accessories may be temporary, but the message behind them is lasting,” he added. “Every badge, ribbon, cap and flag can serve as a reminder of national unity, responsibility and pride.”

His words reflected a growing effort to connect the visible symbols of Independence Day with the values they represent.

The national flag remains the most powerful symbol of the celebrations. Its green field represents Pakistan’s Muslim majority, while the white stripe represents religious minorities. The crescent symbolizes progress and the star represents light and knowledge.

For many Pakistanis, however, the flag represents much more than its colours and symbols. It evokes the sacrifices of those who struggled for Pakistan, as well as the hopes and aspirations attached to the country’s creation.

The Independence Day celebrations in Peshawar also revived memories of Pakistan’s early years and the vision of its founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Manzoorul Haq, former ambassador, said Pakistan had been created after numerous sacrifices by the country’s forefathers and that the best way to pay tribute to them was to follow the principles of unity, faith and discipline.

He recalled Quaid-e-Azam’s emphasis on education and his repeated call for young people to work hard to achieve their objectives in life.

Islamia College Peshawar holds a particularly important place in that history. According to Muhammad Younas Khan, former chairman of the Pakistan Studies Department at Islamia College Peshawar, Quaid-e-Azam visited the institution in 1936, 1945 and 1948 and acknowledged the outstanding role played by its students in the Pakistan Movement.

“Pakistan Movement is incomplete without mentioning the visits of Quaid-e-Azam to ICP, where he clearly outlined his vision for Pakistan,” he said.

He particularly recalled Muhammad  Ali Jinnah’s April 12, 1948 address at Islamia College Peshawar, when the country’s first Governor General spoke to students about their role in building the new nation.

The great Quaid described the students as the future builders of Pakistan and urged them to work with dedication, commitment and sincerity to make the country one of the greatest nations in the world.

He stressed discipline, character, education and hard work, reminding students that the progress of government and country depended on the patriotic, honest and constructive efforts of citizens.

Eight decades later, those words continue to resonate during Independence Day celebrations, particularly when children gather beneath the same national flag.

As the day progressed, Peshawar remained alive with patriotic activity. Families decorated their homes and vehicles, children rode bicycles adorned with miniature flags, and young people posed for photographs in green-and-white clothing.

The sounds of patriotic songs mingled with the bustle of markets and the movement of crowds. For some, the day was an occasion for reflection; for others, it was a family outing filled with laughter and colour.

For Ismail, it was something even more personal. Standing beside his father after witnessing the flag-hoisting ceremony and hearing the police band play, he had experienced the Independence Day celebration he had imagined for so long.

His small dance, performed beneath the fluttering green and white flag, was a simple expression of happiness. Yet it also captured something at the heart of the day: the passing of hopes, memories and national values from one generation to the next.

As August 14 celebrations continued, the green and white colours filled Peshawar with excitement. Whether displayed on a rooftop, carried in a child’s hands or hoisting on vehicles, the Pakistani flag once again brought people together under one national identity.

And for children like Ismail, Malaika and Ibrahim, Independence Day offered not only a day to celebrate Pakistan, but also an early lesson in what it means to belong to and help build their country.