We all know how the night typically looks: loud horns honking, colourful displays of fireworks lighting up the midnight sky...
Independence
By Aamna Saleem
11:59 pm on 13th August. “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Jashn-e-Azadi Mubarak!”
We all know how the night typically looks: loud horns honking, colourful displays of fireworks lighting up the midnight sky, biker rallies with patriotic songs blaring on portable speakers, flags gently swaying from the roofs of all houses in the distance, green and gold fairy lights sparkling, late night stalls; an all-out celebratory mood. In the midst of this fun-filled mayhem, an unheard voice resonates in the heart of every true Pakistani: “Jeevay Pakistan.” Counting 78 years of Independ-ence and wishing for many more to come, one can’t help but reflect on how much this country means to us. Pakistan, you are our pride, our safe space, our joy, and we are more than grateful.
Why? Well, you give us a secure place where we can sleep peacefully at night. Looking at recent events and going all the way back to 1965, you’ve proven that no missile, no bomb, no surprise attack can harm your people. We strongly support Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s quote: “There is no power on Earth that can undo Pakistan.”
You give us scenic beauty and tourism that people from around the globe appreciate and visit. Your mountain ranges, salt mines, rivers and lakes, forests, seas, valleys … what’s not to love? How proud we feel when foreigners compare all of this to Switzerland’s beauty.
You are my favourite place to be in the entire world, for you’re home to THE BEST FOOD EVER! From plain to burning hot, you own all the flavours and dominate the show! Think about it, who does biryani, nihari, halwa poori, chappal kebab, karahi, namkeen gosht, shahi daal, kabuli pulao, and parathay like Pakistan? And the Quetta hotel ki special gur wali chai, worth every sip! Oh, desserts? Yes, please. Garma garam jalebi, kheer; cold ras malai, lab-e-shireen, gulab jamun. No wonder we love you to pieces.
Pakistani exports – from sports equipment that is internationally recognized to top-class fruits, basmati rice, and cotton that is painstakingly grown by the farmers – give us a reason to be proud.
What’s more, you have the coolest music to vibe to and filmy films worth a cinematic experience – rom-com, horror, comedy, and patriotic flicks, you’ve got us covered (especially on Eid day).
Oh, and thanks for giving us cricket. We don’t own cricket like a sport; for us, it’s an emotion, a feeling. Gali cricket, anyone? Tape balls, brick wickets, and setting chaka choka boundaries with chalk markings was an era. Let’s be real and admit it, we do badmouth the team, but is there ever a time when we miss the intense Pakistan vs. India matches on purpose? Those matches aren’t just matches for the millions of people watching; it’s the unsaid support for the nation in every silent prayer - “Iss ball pe out ho jaye! Bas aik run aur! Itna bara score gap nahi hai; teen sixers ki baat hai!” We’ve all been there.
Your literature is beautiful, inculcating the history, the bitter realities of the past, the rich culture, and poetry. It has beautified the languages more, and your authors are renowned world-wide.
Dear Pakistan, thank you for uniting diverse cultures and people who are hospitable, caring, honest, devoted, loving, genuine, simple – altogether awesome inside out – under one identity that is Pakistani. We may be Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi, or Pasthun in our provinces and homes, but when we stand together as a nation, it’s under one name, and that’s yours.
Here’s to 78 years of being the best nation, and may there be thousands more to celebrate with even more zeal and zest. Till next year, Pakistan Zindabad!
