Why Pakistan Day is a Unifying Force for Every Pakistani
© AP Photo / Anjum Naveed
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Pakistan Day is celebrated each year on March 23, marking the anniversary of the Lahore Resolution of 1940 when the All-India Muslim League party demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.
The significance of Pakistan Day lies in its reminder of the efforts and struggles made by the people of Pakistan in their pursuit for independence. It is a day when people come together to celebrate their shared history and identity as Pakistanis and renew their commitment to building a better future for coming generations.
The celebrations on March 23 begin with a full military and civilian parade in the capital, Islamabad. The event is presided by the President of Pakistan and is held early in the morning. Following the parade, the President gives away national awards and medals to special achievers at the Presidency.
On this day there are gun salutes in Islamabad and provincial capitals and all government buildings and departments fly the national flag to commemorate the day.
23rd March 2023 marks the 83rd Pakistan Day and the nation is celebrating the day with a renewed pledge to align the country as per the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah while ensuring its progress and prosperity.
Historical Significance of March 23
The British ruled over the Indian subcontinent from 1858 until the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947. For over two centuries Muslims were a minority in the subcontinent and Muslim leaders such as Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal felt that Muslims will remain a minority after the British leave and Muslims won't be able to live according to their beliefs.
Hence, Muslim leaders decided to create a separate independent state. The idea for a separate Muslim state originated in December 1930 when Muslim philosopher Allama Iqbal suggested the creation of it.
By 1933 the name 'Pakistan' was introduced in pamphlets for the first time. It was Chaudry Rehmat Ali, a Muslim activist who suggested the name Pakistan and published the name on a pamphlet.
In 1940 'Pakistan Resolution' or the demand for a separate state was put forward by the Muslim leaders in a conference. This conference was held on March 23, 1940 in Lahore, and it was led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who served as the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until the inception of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
The historic Pakistan Resolution was ratified on March 23, 1940, 83 years ago today, sparking the quest for a sovereign Muslim homeland Pakistan. Even against all odds, they triumphed in creating an independent state within 7 years of their struggle and hard work. pic.twitter.com/BdMWPxntM9
— 🌾 (@BibIiophile_) March 23, 2023
Hence, Pakistan Day is celebrated each year on March 23, marking the anniversary of the Lahore Resolution of 1940 which set the path for an independent Pakistan some years later.
In 1947 Pakistan became a separate state and emerged as a country on the map of the world.
Today Pakistan is famous throughout the world because of its many achievements, some of them include: two Nobel Prize winners, (first was Pakistani physicist Abdus Salam, who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1979. Second was Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014), six designated World Heritage Sites, and the world’s largest contiguous irrigation system, the Indus river.
Cultural Celebrations Across the World
Today dawned with a thirty-one-gun salute in the federal capital and a twenty-one-gun salute in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in mosques after the morning's Fajar prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country.
There was a change of guards ceremony held at the mausoleums of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore, respectively.
Pakistan Air Force takes over charge of guard duties at Mazar-e-Iqbal #PakistanDay #23rdMarch pic.twitter.com/A8tsgexBZJ
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 23, 2023
Meanwhile, Pakistan Embassies across the world held flag-hoisting ceremonies with Pakistan’s national anthem in the background. Social media videos of flag-hoisting ceremonies were shared from China, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore etc.
Flag Hoisting ceremony at Pakistan Embassy, Republic of Korea on 83rd National Day (March 23rd 2023). @ForeignOfficePk@PTVNewsOfficial
— Pakistan Embassy Republic of Korea (@PakinROKorea) March 23, 2023
@RadioPakistan @PkPublicDiplo
#PakistanDay2023 pic.twitter.com/FT5FUUeazq
Millions of Pakistanis who reside abroad also hoist Pakistani flags on their houses and invite friends over to mark this day with dinners and singing of patriotic songs.
This year's armed forces parade in Pakistan, which was being held on a limited scale due to austerity measures, has been postponed till March 25 due to the rainy weather.
But the public is not deterred by bad weather; on the contrary, people were seen visiting parks and historical sites. Pakistanis also purchase sweets and invite family and friends to watch patriotic shows on television. Some families visit their ancestor's graves to recite Fatiha prayers and remember the sacrifices their grandparents made for achieving a separate homeland.
This year President Dr Arif Alvi shared his message with the nation saying, "Considering our achievements in the past, I strongly believe that we have the ability to overcome the challenges faced by Pakistan today. If we continue to work with unity, faith, and discipline, we would be able to make Pakistan a strong and prosperous country," the President said in a statement.
Pakistan Day holds great importance for the people as it was on this day that the foundation for achieving a separate home for the Muslims of the subcontinent came into being.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.
