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PESHAWAR, Aug 01 (APP):As August begins, a wave of patriotic fervor sweeps across Pakistan from the mountainous valleys of Chitral to the bustling shores of Gwadar.
Streets are adorned with green and white colours, homes light up with the national flag, and children excitedly prepare for Independence Day celebrations.
Yet behind the vibrant festivities lies a profound and turbulent history of sacrifice, resilience, and vision that led to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
Pakistan’s independence remains a landmark event not only in South Asia but also in global history. It was the culmination of decades of struggle by Muslims of the Indian subcontinent who, after centuries of political dominance, found themselves marginalized under British colonial rule and overshadowed by rising Hindu majoritarianism in post-1857 uprising.
“The creation of Pakistan was a turning point in world history,” said Dr Muhammad Younas Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Studies Department at Islamia College Peshawar, in an interview with APP. “It signified the assertion of a nation’s right to live with dignity, free from domination and discrimination.”
Following 1857 uprising, Muslims faced systematic exclusion from civil services, education, and land ownership. The British Raj increasingly aligned with Hindu elites, accelerating the decline of Muslim socio-economic and political status.
In this bleak period, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan emerged as a visionary reformer. Through his educational movement and the founding of Aligarh College in 1877, Sir Syed launched intellectual reawakening of Muslims in India.
His establishment of the All India Muhammadan Educational Conference in 1886 provided a vital platform for promoting modern education and fostering unity among Muslims.
“Sir Syed’s efforts bridged the gap between Muslims and the British, countered negative propaganda, and laid the groundwork for political consciousness, of Muslims ” Dr Younas explained.
As Muslim awareness grew, the political struggle took shape with the formation of the All India Muslim League (AIML) in 1906. The League became the voice of Muslims, demanding separate electorates and safeguards for their political identity.
The League’s significance deepened in 1913 when Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, initially a member of the Indian National Congress, joined its ranks.
Disillusioned with Congress’s disregard for Muslim concerns, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah soon emerged as the principal architect of the Pakistan Movement.
A pivotal moment came in 1930 with Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s historic Allahabad Address, where he envisioned a separate homeland for Muslims in the northwest of British India. Three years later, Chaudhry Rehmat Ali coined the term “Pakistan,” crystallizing the idea into a concrete goal.
The independence movement gained momentum as the Muslim League opposed the Nehru Report and advanced the Two-Nation Theory, asserting that Hindus and Muslims were distinct nations with irreconcilable differences. Mr. Jinnah’s famous 14 Points, presented in 1929, became a manifesto for Muslim political rights.
The tide turned decisively after the passing of the Pakistan Resolution on March 23, 1940, in Lahore. The resolution formally demanded an independent state for Muslims, setting the stage for final negotiations.
By 1945-46, the Muslim League had garnered overwhelming support across Muslim-majority provinces, winning all Muslim seats in the central assembly.
“Mr. Jinnah’s leadership during this period galvanized a population yearning for identity, freedom, and security,” Younas told APP.
In June 1947, he said Lord Mountbatten announced the partition plan, dividing British India into two sovereign states ties Pakistan and India. Punjab and Bengal were split, and referendums in NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sylhet, and tribal areas confirmed Muslim-majority regions’ desire to join Pakistan.
On August 14, 1947, Pakistan emerged as a new nation due to an outcome of relentless political negotiation, grassroots mobilization, and unyielding commitment by countless leaders and ordinary citizens.
Today, as children like Anaya Bibi, a fifth-grade student, prepare for flag-hoisting ceremonies in Peshawar’s civil secretariat, the essence of the independence struggle resonates deeply.
“I bought 50 green badges and stickers for my brothers and friends,” she said excitedly, eager to attend the flag hoisting ceremony at the Civil Secretariat on August 14. “We all want to see the flag rise high.”
Independence Day is not only a celebration of freedom but also a solemn tribute to the sacrifices made by leaders like Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and countless unsung heroes. It’s a reminder of the promise of Pakistan is a land for Muslims to live in peace, equality, and justice.
As the nation gears up for its 78th Independence Day, it remains a time to honor the past, celebrate unity, and renew the pledge to build a prosperous and strong Pakistan for generations to come.