Pakistan’s independence took place on the night of 14 and 15 August 1947 or 27th night of Ramadan in 1366th year of Islamic calendar.
A huge controversy revolves around the fact that Pakistan’s independence day is celebrated on a different date from its actual independence
Is Pakistan’s Independence Day on 14 or 15 August? This has been a question is different theories with regards to the independence of Pakistan. Pakistan’s government officially celebrates its independence day on 14th of August every year. However, there are theories claiming that it is actually 15th of August when India and Pakistan got independent. The subject has been a point of discussion for decades. However, no one knows why does Pakistan celebrate its independence on a date when it actually wasn’t independent?
We take this matter up for our readers to share some interesting details. These are Pakistan’s reasons for choosing this day for celebrating its independence.
History of British India
The Britishers ruled the entire Indian sub-continent from from mid 17th century. However, the formal British rule was established in Indian sub-continent after the demise of Mughal rule. With this, there were several continuous movements in India for its independence. A number of Muslim and Hindu leaders were able to create a discourse on the issue of independence. They sought independence from the British Raj.
However, the political movements under Gandhi for Congress and Jinnah for Muslim League were able to garner enough support for independence. Resultantly, the Britishers were forced to leave the region and let India enjoy the freedom of an independent country. However, there was a major issue at hand. The Muslims of India were not ready to live within the Indian boundary as one entity. They were raising demands for an independent nation of their own. Thus, a two-state solution was agreed upon for the Indian sub-continent. It was decided that the British rule will end on the night of 15 August 1947.
Independence Act of India
The Indian Independence Act 1947 recognizes 15 August as the birthday of both Pakistan and India. Moreover, the transfer of power took place on the midnight of 14 and 15 August 1947. It clearly states the day for independence and you may read the exact words here. “As from the fifteenth day of August, nineteen forty-seven, two independent Dominions shall be set up in India, to be known respectively as India and Pakistan.”
Moreover, the celebrations of Pakistan’s first independence day took place on 15 August 1948. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah clearly stated in his address to the nation, “August 15 is the birthday of the independent and sovereign state of Pakistan. It marks the fulfillment of the destiny of the Muslim nation which made great sacrifices in the past few years to have its homeland.”
Additionally, former Prime Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Ali’s book The Emergence of Pakistan also claims the date to be 15 August 1947. The book claims that Fifteenth August 1947 was the last Friday of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, one of the holiest days in Islam. On that auspicious day, Quaid-i-Azam became the Governor-General of Pakistan and the cabinet was sworn in, the star-and-crescent flag was hoisted, and Pakistan emerged on the world map.
It is imperative to note that several Pakistanis denote this Islamic calendar date of Last Friday of Ramadan as one of the spiritual reasons of creation of Pakistan.
More from Fact-File: What is Citizenship by Investment Program
When did Pakistan change its date of independence?
It is evident that Pakistan independence day celebrations took place on 15th August in the early years of its creation. However, the change in its date of independence is unclear from any authentic source. Moreover, it’s also unclear as yet when did it start celebrating independence day on 14th day of August instead of 15th?