Luminaries on Independence Day

Mustansar Hussain Tarar: It’s good to see that people are so spirited. “My son is here with his children. We went to get flags. The children took buntings and badges. They have happily adorned the badges. My doctor invited me and my family to his place. Among other things there was a green cake with chand sitara and even green pastries with moon and stars on them. It’s good to see that people are so spirited - they haven’t given up.” (Writer, TV anchor)

Asghar Nadeem Syed: We need dialogue.  “There is no basis for collective festivity - there is no collective expression. Independence Day is certainly a day to rejoice but the truth is that the nation is not happy from inside. Are you really free, is it truly a democratic society, is everyone getting justice? are some pertinent questions.  One-wheeling most commonly seen on such occasions, is an escape - young people do it out of frustration.

Wearing traditional clothes is no expression of freedom (azadi). Are we moving towards a goal?

We need to have dialogues. Anything can happen in this scenario. There are a large number of have-nots in this society and this is a point to ponder.

Give people their rights. Spread love, give them little facilities and you can make a big difference.

Where is our representation in assemblies? Peace will be possible when people will get their rights, education. They should have given people schools but they have handed them over to private sector.” (Writer and Professor)

Firdous Jamal: Serve to deserve. “Only if we perform our duties honestly will we deserve to celebrate the national days. Burning crackers and hoisting flags won’t change things. Prayer is established when we stay in the state of prayer even when we are not actually praying. When you live all year as a good Pakistani, only then you will deserve to celebrate 14th August.” (TV actor who has done over 300 plays by now).

Shahbaz Ahmad Senior: Increase sports. “Introduce sports as much as possible, engage people in sports at as many levels as possible. Provide them with more facilities. Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has arranged two matches in Karachi on the occasion of 14th August. Hockey matches will be played in other cities as well on this occasion.

(Shahbaz Ahmad Senior was the last captain under whom Pakistan won the last World Cup. He is Chairman Pakistan Hockey Federation).

Mohammad Ilyas: Share to celebrate. “Celebrate the day, its important. Let the enemy know we are not afraid. Remember the sacrifices people gave for this country. Hoist flags but more importantly share with the less fortunate among us on this day - that would mean celebrating and being grateful.

Corruption must be discouraged and exposed. It is the root of many ills in this society. (Muhammad Ilyas is a cricketer. He shared his first Test with Hanif Muhammad, was chief selector as well).

—Saadia Salahuddin