This week, both India and Pakistan will celebrate their 79th Independence Day. However, Pakistan celebrates on August 14 whereas India does so on August 15. Since both nations were freed from British colonial rule in 1947, this frequently causes confusion.
The Indian Independence Act of 1947 created two independent dominions – India and Pakistan – by partitioning Bengal and Punjab. The Act clearly stated, “As from the fifteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-seven, two independent Dominions shall be set up in India, to be known respectively as India and Pakistan.”
ALSO READ: Har Ghar Tiranga 2025: How to Participate This Independence Day
Pakistan’s founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, in his radio address at the time, declared, “August 15 is the birthday of the independent and sovereign state of Pakistan.”
Why Does Pakistan Celebrate on August 14?
There are several theories about why Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day a day earlier than India.
1. Lord Mountbatten’s Schedule
Lord Mountbatten was the first Governor-General of independent India and the final Viceroy of British India. On August 15, he had intended to declare both nations’ independence. However, he travelled to Karachi to hand over power to Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 14, 1947, due to scheduling reasons.
2. Cabinet Decision
According to a different account, Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first prime minister, presided over a cabinet meeting where it was suggested that the country celebrate its independence one day ahead of India. With Jinnah’s approval, August 14 was chosen as the official date.
3. Religious Significance
According to some historians, the date was selected for religious reasons. The night of August 14-15, 1947, fell on the 27th day of Ramadan, which is regarded as fortunate in Islam. This had an impact on the decision to designate August 14 as Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Time Zone Difference
There is also a time-related explanation. Indian Standard Time (IST) is 30 minutes ahead of Pakistan Standard Time (PST). When India became independent at midnight on August 15, it was still 11:30 pm on August 14 in Pakistan. So Pakistan celebrates its freedom on August 14 every year.
Pakistan’s 2025 Independence Day Theme
This year, Pakistan will celebrate its 79th Independence Day on August 14. The official theme is ‘Marka-e-Haq’ (Battle of Truth). According to The Dawn, the theme reflects Pakistan’s resolve, sacrifices, and unity.
The theme was selected by Pakistan’s Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Even though both countries were born from the same historic moment, the choice of celebration dates reflects political decisions, religious beliefs, and practical circumstances. The two nations may share history, but their national calendars tell two different stories.
MUST READ: Owaisi Warns Shehbaz Sharif Over Indus Waters Treaty Remarks: “We Have BrahMos” | Watch
