Having gained independence in 1947, Pakistan will turn 78 years old on 14th August, 2025. To honour that, Paklap is offering yet another Independence Day Sale for all the Pakistanis. But, before we get to that, let’s talk a bit about how Pakistan got where it is today.
14th August 1947
It was on this day that a long-sought dream became a reality. When the struggle and sacrifices of countless men, women, and children bore fruit. It was this day when the green flag soared high in the sky for the very first time. This flag wasn’t just a piece of cloth; it was a symbol of peace, freedom, and unity. It was a new beginning, not just for Muslims, but for every soul standing on the newly discovered land - the land of Pakistan.
All of this started with a vision and a dream. A vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Mohammad Iqbal’s dream of a separate homeland for the Muslims. It was, in fact, the dream of every muslim during that time.
M.A. Jinnah called the nation to practice unity, faith, and discipline. According to him, it was these values that bonded a nation together, and he was right. Allama Iqbal dreamed of a homeland where Muslims could live with dignity, practice their religion freely, and a society be built on the grounds of justice and equality for all.
From The Pakistan Resolution to the Birth of Pakistan
The All-India Muslim League put forward the statement of a separate state for the Muslims, from 22nd to 24th March, 1940. This 3-day session was initially called the Lahore Resolution, and after some time, the Pakistan Resolution. It was with this resolution that M.A. Jinnah’s vision started to take shape. During this 3-day session, the name, Pakistan, was also suggested.
From 1940 to 1947, it was seven years of tireless struggle and sacrifices, each bringing the Muslims one step closer to the birth of Pakistan. The minorities in India that didn’t feel safe in the presence of powerful Brahmins also looked up to Pakistan for salvation. These included non-Brahmin Hindus, Christians, Bengalis, and Indian emigrants.
Fast forward to the birth of Pakistan, in the summer of 1947, millions of people started their journey during the partition. Some by train, some by boat, others by bus, and the remaining on foot. They left behind the homes their generations grew up in, the streets where they once played, and every tree and brick that was part of their childhood.
"We are now all Pakistanis — not Baluchis, Pathans, Sindhis, Bengalis, Punjabis and so on — and as Pakistanis, we must behave and act, and we should be proud to be known as Pakistanis and nothing else."
~ Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Migration is never easy, and so it wasn’t back then. It wasn’t just a journey of leaving behind their homes, but a story of unimaginable loss. Families were torn apart, friends were divided by newly drawn borders, and countless lives were sacrificed. Around 200,000 lives were lost during the process.
It was after bearing all the loss that we got freedom. The freedom that the founders of Pakistan earned with their sweat and blood. The freedom that we celebrate each year.
Achievements and Challenges
Every time we come to think of all that our forefathers went through to make this land an independent and free state, it sends chills down the spine. Ever since independence, a lot has happened, a lot has gone by, and a lot has changed. Some challenges were faced and achievements were made, which make this nation what it is today.
- In 1961, Pakistan started its very first space program under Dr. Abdus Salam, chairman of SUPARCO, becoming one of the first few countries in Asia to start a space program.
- In 1962, Pakistan launched its first weather rocket.
- In 1963, the first trade agreement between Pakistan and China was signed.
- In 1967, Pakistan’s first still mill opened at Chittagong.
- In 1972, a new education policy was established. Free education was provided in all public and private schools. And, Karachi Nuclear Power Plant was established.
- In 1973, the Pakistan Steel Mills was founded.
- In 1976, the first Lahore to Amritsar train, Samjhota Express, started to operate.
- In 1979, Dr. Abdus Salam, a renowned Pakistani Scientist, was awarded the Physics Nobel Prize.
- In 1987, Jan Sher Khan, a former Pakistani Squash Player, won the World Open Squash Championship. He remained the top-ranked player from 1988 to 1998, winning the World Open Squash Championship consecutively 8 times and the British Open 6 times.
- In 1988, Benazir Bhutto became the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan.
- In 1989, Pakistan rejoined the Commonwealth.
- In 1992, Pakistan won the Cricket World Cup by winning the Championship Trophy from England by 22 runs, under the captaincy of Imran Khan. Alam Channa entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest man in the world.
- In 1994, Pakistan Television gained access to 38 countries via satellite.
- In 2001, the construction of Gwadar began, opening gateways for CPEC, which will be covered later in the timeline.
- In 2004, Arfa Karim became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional, also acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records.
- In 2009, the JF-17 Thunder became the first ever multi-purpose, one-of-a-kind, fighter aircraft that was conceptuated by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, and was later added to Pakistan’s Air Force fleet. It is still servicing for the Air Force along with several others.
- In 2012, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy became the first Pakistani to win an Oscar for Saving Face, a short documentary on reconstructive surgery of acid attack victims, which won as Best Documentary (short).
- In 2015, the CPEC treaty was signed between Pakistan and China, opening a new corridor for opportunities.
2020 Onwards - Pakistan’s Economy and Brain Drain Situation
With COVID, there was an economic collapse, not just in Pakistan, but globally. Political instability was on the rise, and inflation grew. Health, education, and public welfare were all affected adversely. 2020 to 2022, was the period when the world stopped functioning, and the same was the case for Pakistan.
Owing to the country’s situation, Pakistan is now facing one of the biggest challenges. The challenge of Brain Drain, when talented individuals leave the country for better opportunities. Every doctor, engineer, scientist, analyst, researcher, and artist who leaves the country, takes with them the potential and future of Pakistan.
Pakistan, still, holds a lot of potential and is very promising. Our lands are mineral-rich supporting different forms of agriculture. We have breathtaking natural beauty and deep rooted culture.
The dream that our founders and forefathers saw can still be achieved if we work together to build a better future. If we practice the values inculcated during that time, values of justice, equality, unity, faith and discipline. And if we choose to put our skills and efforts on our homeland.
Kyunke Ap Hain Tou Pakistan Hai!
Paklap Independence Day Sale
In today’s age, if we want to build a better future for our country and ourselves, it is important to keep up with technology. From students learning to code and develop to entrepreneurs working on new innovations, from freelancers serving their clients internationally to organisations advancing in science and technology - the right tools matter. Laptops, specifically, have become more than just machines. They are not gateways of new opportunities, helping to learn, explore and create.
Considering which, this Independence Day, Paklap will play its role towards a better, more empowered Pakistan. Just like every year, we’re offering an Independence Day Sale on our products. Now you can get the same performance, speed and reliability at a discounted price.
Get your hands on your favourite laptop and make the most out of it. Do something for your future, for your country’s future, for Pakistan’s future.
Paklap has played its part, now it’s time for you to play yours.
Paklap Pakistan Se Hai, Or Pakistan Ap Se Hai!
Dil Dil Pakistan, Jaan Jaan Pakistan!
Pakistan Zindabad!
