Pakistan celebrates 79 years of freedom with calls for unity, resilience and progress

WEBDESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on Pakistanis to renew their commitment to the country’s development, prosperity, peace and national unity as Pakistan marked its 79th Independence Day, while paying tribute to the leaders and millions of people whose sacrifices made the country’s creation possible.

In his Independence Day message, the prime minister extended his greetings to Pakistanis at home and abroad and said the nation had achieved freedom through the “unwavering resolve” of the leaders of the Pakistan Movement, the sacrifices of its people and the grace of Allah.

پاکستان اور بیرون ملک مقیم تمام اہل وطن کو دل کی اتھاہ گہرائیوں سے یومِ آزادی کی خوشیاں مبارک!

آج پاکستان کی آزادی کے 79 سال مکمل ہونے کے پُرمسرت موقع پر تمام اہل وطن کو دلی مبارکباد پیش کرتا ہوں۔ صد شکر کہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے ہمیں مملکت خداداد کی صورت میں آزادی جیسی گرانقدر نعمت…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 14, 2026

He paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and other leaders of the independence movement, saying their political struggle had united the Muslims of the subcontinent around the goal of a separate homeland.

PM Shehbaz said August 14, 1947, gave Pakistanis a country where they could live with dignity and according to their religious and cultural values. He maintained that the Constitution and laws guaranteed equal rights to all citizens without discrimination on the basis of race or colour.

The prime minister said Pakistan had continued its journey towards development and prosperity despite numerous challenges, with its people achieving success across defence, the economy, industry, agriculture, education, science, technology, media and sports.

“Our talented youth, skilled workforce, professional experts, hardworking farmers and labourers are the guarantors of the country’s bright future,” he said.

Focus on economic growth

The prime minister said the government had navigated difficult phases over the past two and a half years and achieved its objective of economic stability, adding that the country was now moving towards the goal of a developed economy.

He said modern information technology, innovation-driven and sustainable industrial and agricultural development, public welfare projects, employment opportunities and a world-class education and skills system were among the government’s priorities.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb echoed the message of economic optimism, saying Pakistan was moving forward with “new confidence” as economic stability strengthened, reforms shifted from policy to implementation and fiscal and external indicators improved.

He said stability had now become the foundation for the next phase of development, with the government’s focus turning towards accelerating economic growth, attracting investment, increasing exports and creating jobs.

“Our goal is clear: to turn stability into growth, reforms into opportunities and economic progress into better lives for our people,” Aurangzeb said.

He acknowledged that “much remains to be done” but said the direction was clear and that continuity, collective effort and confidence in Pakistan’s potential could turn current progress into future prosperity.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also urged the nation to unite for economic progress, saying Pakistan must prove its strength not only in defending its borders but also in the economic, intellectual, scientific and technological fields.

He said Independence Day was a reminder of the principles of faith, unity and discipline associated with Quaid-i-Azam, urging citizens to make them part of national life.

Defence and regional stability

PM Shehbaz praised the armed forces for defending the country against threats and said Pakistan took pride in their sacrifices and services.

He said the armed forces had written a “new chapter” in the country’s history through their unity, determination and courage under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

The prime minister said Pakistan would make no compromise when it came to protecting its defence, water resources and national interests.

He further described Pakistan as a strong, determined and dignified country that had emerged as a responsible regional player committed to peace, stability and cooperation.

Referring to the joint defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye concluded in Makkah, PM Shehbaz said the agreement was an important manifestation of Pakistan’s growing strategic role and emerging strength in the region.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in his Independence Day message, said freedom was not merely a historic achievement but also a responsibility, stressing that every generation had a duty to make Pakistan stronger, safer and more prosperous.

He said the recent Marka-e-Haq had demonstrated that Pakistan was a country that desired peace while possessing the capability to defend its sovereignty.

“The real lesson of power is the lesson of responsibility,” Zardari said, adding that power should be used for peace and the interests of the people.

The president said Pakistan had consistently supported dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional disputes and would continue working to reduce tensions and promote regional stability.

“However serious the conflicts may be, they must ultimately be resolved through negotiations and diplomacy,” he said.

Kashmir and Afghanistan

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Palestinians and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying Islamabad would continue its principled support for their rights.

He said lasting peace in South Asia depended on a diplomatic resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions, international law and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

President Zardari also reiterated Pakistan’s support for the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, saying Islamabad would continue to support a settlement based on their aspirations and UN resolutions.

On Afghanistan, Zardari said Pakistan had always respected and supported the country’s sovereignty but expressed concern over Afghan territory being used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan and other neighbouring states.

He called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to stop what he described as hostile actions against Pakistani civilians and security personnel, warning that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully capable of defeating such designs.

Armed forces reaffirm commitment

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu extended Independence Day greetings to the nation.

The armed forces paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam, the founders of Pakistan and the martyrs of the independence movement, while also honouring military personnel, veterans and law enforcement officials who had sacrificed their lives in the service of the country.

The military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to defending Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests and said it remained determined to protect the country against all threats.

The ISPR said the armed forces would continue to uphold the Constitution and fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them, while working alongside the nation to safeguard peace and stability.

It said the “real strength” of Pakistan lay in the unity and collective resolve of its people and urged the nation to strengthen national cohesion, promote tolerance and work together for a secure, stable and prosperous country.

Renewed call for unity

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the foundations of Pakistan had been laid with the blood of millions of martyrs and paid tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives for the country’s defence, peace and fight against terrorism.

He said Pakistan was facing internal and external challenges and that overcoming them required the nation to put aside personal interests and unite around the country.

“It is time for the entire nation to come together, think only of Pakistan and move forward for Pakistan,” Naqvi said, urging people to learn from past mistakes and work collectively for a brighter future.

The Foreign Office also marked the occasion by paying tribute to the spirit of freedom, unity and determination that it said remained central to the nation’s identity.

It said the country should use the occasion to honour those whose sacrifices had made independence possible and renew its commitment to Pakistan’s development, prosperity, unity and peace.

As Pakistan completed 79 years of independence, the messages from the country’s political and military leadership centred on a common theme: preserving the gains of freedom while building a more stable economy, investing in the country’s people and strengthening national unity.

PM Shehbaz called on the nation to renew its resolve to work “with one heart” for Pakistan’s progress, peace, stability and harmony, praying that the country would be granted a bright future marked by dignity and success.