Pakistan is marking its Independence Day celebrations earlier than usual this year. While the official date is August 14, the government and army began the festivities on Wednesday, August 13. A special event called Marka-e-Haq was organised in Islamabad, attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, his cabinet ministers, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Army Chief General Asim Munir.
This year’s celebrations come after Pakistan’s defeat in Operation Sindoor, during which its airbases and fighter jets suffered heavy damage. Despite this, General Munir has chosen the theme Operation Buniyaan Un Marsoos for the Independence Day programme, claiming it as a symbol of victory to the Pakistani public.
During the Islamabad event, the Pakistan Air Force held a special flypast, featuring JF-17 fighter jets received from China as well as American-made F-16 aircraft. The display was meant to show military strength, even though Pakistan’s air capabilities were recently damaged in Operation Sindoor.
Across the country, Marka-e-Haq programmes are being held on the instructions of the army. These events involve political leaders of all levels — from members of parliament to local officials — as well as leaders of banned militant organisations. Many speeches are focused on criticising India and issuing threats.
In one event in Hyderabad city, Sindh province, the mayor from Bilawal Bhutto’s party made aggressive remarks against India. Such rhetoric has become common in recent days, as leaders compete to make the strongest statements.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif joined this wave of strong statements. Speaking at a programme in Islamabad, he repeated comments made earlier by Army Chief Munir during his visit to the United States. Sharif warned that Pakistan would not allow India to take “even a drop” of Indus River water. He also opposed the construction of new dams by India.
Sharif said that if India stopped Pakistan’s share of water, the consequences would be “very bad.” His remarks came after similar warnings from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto.
The focus on water issues is linked to the Indus Waters Treaty, an agreement between India and Pakistan that regulates the sharing of river waters. Tensions over this agreement have been increasing in recent years, and Sharif’s comments add further strain to the relationship.
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Although Independence Day in Pakistan is usually a time for national pride and unity, this year’s early celebrations have been heavily tied to political and military messaging. The combination of air shows, patriotic events, and public threats towards India reflects the government’s attempt to project strength despite recent military setbacks.
The use of Operation Buniyaan Un Marsoos as the theme, despite the loss in Operation Sindoor, has also raised questions about how the leadership is presenting events to the public. The government’s narrative focuses on resilience and defiance, even as critics point to the reality of military losses.
With speeches, cultural displays, and military parades happening across the country, Pakistan’s Independence Day this year is as much about political positioning as it is about historical commemoration. The leadership’s tone suggests that tensions with India will remain high, with water disputes and regional security issues likely to dominate the months ahead.
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