Story perspectives

Pakistan marks 80th Independence Day with major regional messages

8/14/2026

Summary

Pakistan Celebrates Independence

Pakistan celebrated its 80th Independence Day on 14 August 2026 with a salute led by President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
High Commissioner Imran Haider and Ambassador Mohammad Aamir Khan raised the flag in Dhaka and unfurled it in Kathmandu, reading leaders’ messages.
Messages cited Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, backed Jammu and Kashmir and warned Afghanistan’s interim regime about terror groups.

Summary

Pakistani Expats Flag-Hoist

On August 14, 2.2 million Pakistanis in the UAE joined flag-hoisting ceremonies and were thanked for aiding the UAE’s development.
Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan noted expatriates remit foreign exchange through formal banks, strengthening Pakistan’s economy.
Dubai Consulate’s Parallel Palette exhibition honored Quaid-e-Azam during the 2026 ‘Year of Quaid-e-Azam.’
Expo City Dubai’s celebration attracted over 60,000 attendees and featured performances by Sahir Ali Bagga, Natasha Baig and Humayun Saeed.

History

Historical Context

Pakistan’s Independence Day commemorates the midnight transfer of power on 14 August 1947, when Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the first Governor-General after the British Indian Empire was divided by the Indian Independence Act. Flag-hoisting ceremonies in Islamabad are broadcast, and Pakistani expatriates in Dubai and other Gulf cities raise the flag, a tradition reinforced by the day’s coincidence with 27 Ramadan, a sacred night in the Islamic calendar.

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Pakistan Celebrates Independence

Pakistan celebrated its 80th Independence Day on 14 August 2026 with a salute led by President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
High Commissioner Imran Haider and Ambassador Mohammad Aamir Khan raised the flag in Dhaka and unfurled it in Kathmandu, reading leaders’ messages.
Messages cited Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, backed Jammu and Kashmir and warned Afghanistan’s interim regime about terror groups.

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