August 14, 2026 | 10:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pakistan commemorates its 79th Independence Day on Friday, marking 79 years since the country gained sovereignty on August 14, 1947, after British India was divided into India and Pakistan.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari called on the public to remember the sacrifices of those who fought for the country's independence and to pay tribute to Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his speech, said that despite facing various difficulties, Pakistan continues to move on the path of development and prosperity.
The prime minister said the Pakistani government had successfully overcome a difficult period over the past two and a half years and achieved economic stabilization, according to state-run Radio Pakistan, citing ANTARA.
Sharif also cited the joint defense agreements signed with Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Mecca as evidence of Pakistan's growing role in the region. He also called on the country's political parties to unite for the nation's prosperity.
Meanwhile, Baloch separatist groups from Pakistan's westernmost province declared August 14 a "day of mourning" and called on the 60 million Baloch people worldwide to raise black flags and wear black armbands in protest against the creation of Pakistan.
The statement calling for a boycott of Independence Day celebrations was posted on X by a representative of the separatist group, Mir Yar Baloch.
The statement claimed that two days earlier Pakistani forces had carried out airstrikes on several settlements in Balochistan Province which reportedly killed civilians.
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