Pakistan looks forward to the 77th Independence Day on 14th August 2024, the country has come a long way in its journey of struggle, change and development. This anniversary is a reminder of the British colonial era and the creation of Pakistan as an independent nation, achieved by the efforts and dreams of the leaders.
Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947, which was a significant event in the history of the world and the Indian subcontinent in particular due to the desire of Muslims to have their own nation. This vision was supported by the All-India Muslim League and its leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who wanted to create a state in which Muslims could live as they wanted. The subsequent partition of British India led to the creation of Pakistan, a new country that had the initial problem of accommodating millions of refugees and the problem of finding out its political system.
Since the time of its creation 77 years ago, Pakistan faced and overcame many obstacles together with many successes. The early years were therefore marked by attempts at establishing the framework of a new state. The constitutional development of Pakistan started when the country adopted its first Constitution in 1956 which formally declared it as a Republic.
In the succeeding years, Pakistan started the process of economic and industrial development. The Green Revolution that took place in the 1960s revolutionized agriculture through the production of higher yields and improved food security. Industrial zones and infrastructure development provided a good base for growth of the economy. The industrialization process was experienced in the 1970s and 1980s especially in textiles and manufacturing industries while the liberalization of the economy in the 1990s led to improvements in telecommunications and information technology.
Education and health have been the two major areas of social development that Pakistan has given priority in the recent past. Campaigns to increase literacy levels and to increase the availability of medical facilities have also helped raise the standard of living for many Pakistanis. Some of the programs that have been initiated in the past include the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) that was meant to reduce poverty and enhance social justice. The last few years have also witnessed a focused effort to promote education and women emancipation, more so, the education of girls in schools and colleges.
Pakistan has a very strong cultural background and this is evident in the literature, music and art works of the country, the country’s artists and writers have received international recognition while the traditional arts and crafts and music are still very much in practice. Science and technology are equally important in the context of Pakistan and the country has made significant progress in the fields of space and nuclear sciences.
The political situation in Pakistan has been through some volatility and development. The political stability of Pakistan has been enhanced by the establishment of democratic institutions and holding of regular elections though the country has experienced some instability at some time. The civil society has become more active and the media has played a role in increasing accountability and transparency.
In the international arena, Pakistan has established good diplomatic ties and actively participates in the international bodies. Its geographical position in South Asia has placed it in the centre of political activities in the region and its participation in peace support operations and counter-terrorism has demonstrated its willingness to take international obligations.
The 77th Independence Day is a chance to recall previous achievements, to think about the present problems, and to confirm the desire to continue the process of unification, building up, and development. With the help of its advantages such as young population, geographical position and natural resources, Pakistan has to look to the future with confidence.
After the creation, Pakistan’s population has risen to about 250 million, which makes it the fifth most populous country in the world. The country’s GDP is now about $350 billion, and the services sector contributes to 60% of the economy. In education, the literacy levels have improved from about 24 percent at independence to over 60 percent today, and universities from about 8 to over 200. There are signs of health care advancement in the aspect of life expectancy which has increased from 32 years in 1947 to about 70 years. Also, the exports of Pakistan have increased, and the textile and apparels are the leading export earners in the $30 billion export figures. These statistics explain the history of Pakistan from its problems to its successes, and the progress that Pakistan is still making towards a better future.
In other words, the 77th Independence Day is not only the remembrance of the past events but also the opportunity to look to the future. It is a reminder of the price that was paid for liberty and the more that is still needed to create a successful and equitable society. Thus, as Pakistan advances towards its future, it still holds on to the principles of democracy, justice, and equality, and continues to work towards the development of the country in the spirit of the independence movement.
