With two days to go till the country’s Independence Day, no zealous preparations are being seen on the private or public level to celebrate the occasion, and no political parties have announced plans in connection with Independence Day.
Contrary to Yaum-e-Takbeer, when Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) launched a massive advertising campaign to remind the nation of Nawaz Sharif’s role in making Pakistan a nuclear power, for Independence Day the ruling party in Punjab has not put up a single banner to congratulate the nation. The tradition of decorating homes with buntings and flags is also dying out as people, like their leaders, have become complacent about Independence Day.
Unlike the past, only a few stalls selling national flags were seen in the city. Ramzan, a stall-owner in Faisal Town, said he had sold 70 percent of his stock and hoped to sell the rest in the next two days. He said last year he could not clear his stock because of an abundance of stalls in the city, but this year he would be able to sell everything he had.
“With the prevailing unrest, inflation, no electricity, water and fuel, we have no reason to celebrate the day,” said Sara Khan, a student. Renowned scholar and educationist Professor Dr Mughees held deteriorating security situation and weak leadership in the country responsible for the apathy in the younger generation towards their country. “Parties rally for ajrak and Sindhi caps but no one speaks to promote the Jinnah cap,” he said.
The trend of celebrating the day with more enthusiasm has been common in dictatorial regimes, whereas civil governments have always promoted their party events more. Mughees credited General Ziaul Haq with declaring Independence Day a day of public celebration. During his regime, the tradition of celebrating the day with special week-long transmissions on television began, he said. Mughees said public celebration promoted nationalism.
Recalling celebrations of Independence Day in the past, he said: “When I was a child, the youth was more passionate. Independence Day ceremonies were held in schools despite summer vacations and sweets were distributed among the children. It used to have great charm for us.” Despite problems with the leadership, Mughees was not disappointed in the country’s youth. He said the nation possessed potential; the only need was to identify and promote good leaders who could channel these potentials into the country’s welfare.
Pakistan Youth Alliance (PYA), a youth organisation, is celebrating Independence Day by helping flood victims. “On this Independence Day, we will gift schools to the children of the flood-hit areas. We will also hold a Peace Parade in Lahore,” PYA Coordinator Mariam Kanwer said.
