Political parties, universities organise rallies on Independence Day
KARACHI: Political parties, civil society organisations and universities across the province celebrated the country’s 79th Independence Day by holding flag-hoisting ceremonies, rallies, fireworks displays and public gatherings.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan kicked off its Independence Day celebrations with a fireworks display at Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad on the eve of August 14.
Senior party leaders, including Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal, were present at the show as party workers and supporters gathered at the site to take part in the celebration. On Friday also, the party held a flag-hoisting ceremony at its Bahadurabad headquarters.
The Jamaat-i-Islami marked the day with a flag-hoisting ceremony at Idara Noor-i-Haq. The party’s Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan said Independence Day should be viewed not merely as a day of celebration, but also as an opportunity to examine whether the country had achieved the objectives for which it was created.
“Pakistan is not merely the name of a geographical region; it represents an ideology and a great purpose,” he said urging the younger generation to renew its commitment to the country. He called for greater attention to peace, employment, education, healthcare and the constitutional rights of citizens.
Pakistan People Party marked the occasion with similar activities across the province.
A big bike rally was organised in PS-97 by Ghulam Mustafa Korai. In Malir, PPP district leaders, including General Secretary Imdad Jokhio, and PS-87 president Jan Alam Jamot attended an Independence Day ceremony in UC-5 Muzaffarabad, where a cake was also cut.
The PPP leaders called the celebrations as renewal of their commitment to democracy and public service. They reaffirmed that the party would continue its struggle for people’s rights, supremacy of democracy and national stability under PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf also organised Independence Day rallies in different districts.
PTI leaders and workers said their celebrations were also reaffirmation of their commitment to democracy, Constitution and rule of law.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz held its main Independence Day programme in Karachi at the Muslim League House, Karsaz, featuring flag-hoisting and cake-cutting ceremonies.
Awam Pakistan Party led by Miftah Ismail and Nasiruddin Mehmood, held a rally and fireworks display at Jauhar Morr, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The University of Karachi, the Dow University of Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Ziauddin University, Hamdard University and other higher education institutions held separate events on their campuses to celebrate the Independence Day.
Thousands of cheering people waving the national flag and riding cars, motorcycles and other vehicles reveled through the streets of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Nausharo Feroze, Badin, Sukkur, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot and other districts raising slogan of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ throughout the day.
Widespread firing in jubilation was reported from different parts of the district headquarters.
Independence Day programmes were held in Sindh University, Sindh Agriculture University, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Shah Abdul Latif University and other universities in the province. Teachers, students and employees attended the functions in their respective institutions.
Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026
