Independence day (Yuam-e-Azadi), 14th August
1947, when Pakistan born and get the placed on the world map. It commemorates the day when Pakistan
achieved independence and was declared a sovereign nation
following the end of the British
Raj in 1947.
Pakistan’s Independence
Day also pays homage to people who devoted their lives for Pakistan’s freedom
movement and made sacrifices to attain Pakistan’s independence. A change of
guard takes place at national monuments, including the mausoleums of Muhammad
Iqbal, who was a poet, philosopher, and politician, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah,
who is considered by many as Pakistan’s founder and Quaid-i-Azam (supreme
leader).
BACKGROUND:
Pakistan was one of the two
original successor states to British India, which was partitioned along
religious lines in 1947. For almost 25 years following independence, it
consisted of two separate regions, East and West Pakistan, but now it is made
up only of the western sector. Both India and Pakistan have laid claim to the
Kashmir region; this territorial dispute led to war in 1949, 1965, 1971, 1999,
and remains unresolved today.
What is now Pakistan was in
prehistoric times the Indus Valley civilization (c. 2500–1700 BC ). A series of invaders—Aryans,
Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Turks, and others—controlled the region for the next
several thousand years. Islam, the principal religion, was introduced in 711.
In 1526, the land became part of the Mogul Empire, which ruled most of the
Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the mid-18th century. By 1857, the British
became the dominant power in the region. With Hindus holding most of the
economic, social, and political advantages, the Muslim minority's
dissatisfaction grew, leading to the formation of the nationalist Muslim League
in 1906 by Mohammed Ali Jinnah (1876–1949). The league supported Britain in the
Second World War while the Hindu nationalist leaders, Nehru and Gandhi,
refused. In return for the league's support of Britain, Jinnah expected British
backing for Muslim autonomy. Britain agreed to the formation of Pakistan as a
separate dominion within the Commonwealth in Aug. 1947, a bitter disappointment
to India's dream of a unified subcontinent. Jinnah became governor-general. The
partition of Pakistan and India along religious lines resulted in the largest
migration in human history, with 17 million people fleeing across the borders
in both directions to escape the accompanying sectarian violence.
CULTURES AND TRIDITIONS:
The customs, culture and
traditions of the people of a country are representative of the history, faith,
language and environment of that country. Likewise, the cultural patterns of
Pakistan speak of our rich cultural heritage and traditions. The culture of
Pakistan seeks its influence from the cultures of India, Central Asia and the
Middle East. Pakistani culture varies widely from Punjab and Sindh to
Baluchistan and Khyber.
Islam has played a pivotal role
in shaping cultural life and has provided a pattern for molding lives according
to the prescribed ways. Though, the majority of people of Pakistan are
followers of Islam and Islamic traditions yet at the same time some local and
foreign customs and traditions found a way in our daily lives and have now
become a part of Pakistani culture. Following are some of the main festivals
celebrated in Pakistan and the customs that are embedded with these festivals.
RELEGIOUS FESTIVAL:
Muslim religious festivals are celebrated according to
Islamic Calendar (Lunar Calendar) and may occur some 10 days earlier each
successive solar year. Following are some of the main religious festivals
celebrated in Pakistan.
Shab-e-Barat
Shab-e-Qadar
Shab-e-Miraj
Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Adha
Milad-un-Nabi
Youm-e-Ashura
Ramadan
Birth Rites
Funeral Rites
Shab-e-Qadar
Shab-e-Miraj
Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Adha
Milad-un-Nabi
Youm-e-Ashura
Ramadan
Birth Rites
Funeral Rites
NATIONAL
FESTIVALS:
Some national events are
also observed and celebrated around the country on various days of national
importance such as:
Independence day
Pakistan Day
defense Day
]Air Force Day
Iqbal Day
Quaid-e-Azam Day
CULTURAL CERIMANIES:
Lok Virsa Mela
Horse & Cattle Show
Basant or Jashn-e-Baharaan
Kalash Festivals
Polo Festival at Shandur
Norouz Festival
Silk Route Festival
Sibi Mela
Mela Chiraghan/Mela Shalamar
Chand Raat
Marriage Ceremonies
Urs